During the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Russian Technologies State Corporation, and Elcom Systems Private
Limited, part of the Indian investment conglomerate SUN Group, signed in New Delhi an agreement to set up in India a modern industrial facility for manufacturing of Russian helicopter models, namely helicopters of the Ka- and Mi- brands.  The joint venture will have the capacity to produce key helicopter
units and carry out final assembly of the machines as well as engage in ground and flight testing. It is expected that the enterprise will start with production of components for the multirole Ka-226T helicopter. The enterprise will serve as an industrial base for hi-tech Russian rotorcraft products in India.  “India is a traditional partner of Russian Helicopters in terms of helicopter deliveries. The creation of a joint Russian-Indian enterprisemarks a new stage and also a logical continuation of our joint efforts in light of the growing demand for Russian helicopter models,” said Dmitry Petrov, CEO of Russian Helicopters.  According to Petrov, the joint venture will help drive the development of India’s aerospace industry and provide for effective application of advanced Russian technologies. It will also make it possible to organize the training of Indian engineers and promote the development of highly qualified personnel across the entire production chain. Moreover, the enterprise will be eligible to implement offset projects under various procurement tenders in India where Russian rotorcraft are involved. The holding company and Elcom Systems also reached an agreement on plans to create a joint Helicopter Academy in India for the training of flight and technical personnel. Vladimir Putin’s visit to India resulted in the signing of a set of documents aimed at strengthening military-technical cooperation between
Russia and India, including in helicopter manufacturing. India is a traditional buyer of Russia aircraft and presently has a fleet of 280 Russian-made helicopters.

Boeing on Nov. 2 delivered the fifth production P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the U.S. Navy. The P-8A is one of 24 low-rate initial production (LRIP) maritime patrol aircraft that Boeing is building for the Navy as part of contracts awarded in 2011 and 2012.

“This is our final P-8A delivery of the year; we’ll ramp up to 12 deliveries, including P-8I aircraft for India, in 2013,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. “Our in-line production approach, which draws on processes developed on the company’s commercial and military programs, has been key to our ability to increase production rates while reducing costs.”

“As we transition to the P-8A and prepare for Initial Operational Capability in 2013, the U.S. Navy is successfully flying the first production planes at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.,” said Capt. Aaron Rondeau, U.S. Navy P-8A Integrated Product Team lead.

The next three Poseidon aircraft are undergoing mission systems installation and checkout in Seattle, and two more are in final assembly in Renton, Wash. Boeing will deliver its sixth production P-8A to the Navy in early 2013.

The Navy plans to purchase 117 of the Boeing 737-based P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.

As part of the LRIP contracts, Boeing is also providing aircrew and maintenance training for the Navy, in addition to logistics support, spares, support equipment and tools.

Boeing has delivered the sixth Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17 Globemaster III today at the company’s final assembly facility in Long Beach. The airlifter will be assigned to No. 36 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane, where it will help meet increased demand for airlift to support military, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.

“I am delighted to accept the sixth C-17 on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force,” said RAAF Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown. “The C-17 is a capability that has improved Australia’s reach locally, regionally and globally. Individually, the aircraft is impressive – but as a fleet, it has fundamentally enhanced our strategic airlift agility to meet the Australian Defence Force Air Mobility requirements.”

The government of Australia announced its intent to buy a sixth airlifter during last year’s arrival ceremony for the RAAF’s fifth C-17. The contract was completed on June 6 and now Boeing has delivered the aircraft less than five months later, due to the strong cooperation among the Australian and U.S. governments working with the Boeing team.

“The C-17 symbolizes the strength and the enduring nature of the partnership between Boeing and the Commonwealth of Australia,” said Bob Ciesla, vice president, Airlift, and C-17 program manager. “We look forward to supporting the RAAF and this aircraft as we do the five other C-17s at Amberley.”

Boeing provides after-delivery support to the RAAF C-17 fleet as part of the C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP) Performance-Based Logistics agreement with the U.S. Air Force. The GISP “virtual fleet” arrangement provides the highest airlift mission-capable rate at one of the lowest costs per flying hour.

Boeing has delivered 248 C-17s worldwide, including 218 to the U.S. Air Force active duty, Guard and Reserve units. A total of 30 C-17s have been delivered to Australia, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. India has 10 C-17s on order for delivery in 2013 and 2014.