Aviation

HAL to open KL office to support Tejas bid in Malaysia

India has achieved a significant milestone by launching its first overseas sales and maintenance office in Malaysia. #HAL

In the presence of Dr. Ajay Kumar, the secretary of defence, HAL signed an MoU to open an office in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Major (R) Mohd Husairi Bin Mat Zain of Forte Drus, who serves as HAL’s official representative in Malaysia, and Mr. Ravi K, GM, LCA, of HAL, signed the Memorandum of Understanding. In addition to Mr. Sanjay Jaju, Additional Secretary (Defence Production), additional guests included Mr. B. N. Reddy, High Commissioner of India in Malaysia.

With a presence in Malaysia, HAL will be better able to capitalize on new business prospects for the Fighter Lead-in Trainer, LCA and other RMAF requirements, such as Su-30 MKM and Hawk modifications. It will strengthen India’s commitment to assisting Malaysia’s defence forces and industry in maintaining a viable aerospace and defence sector in Malaysia.

HAL, one of the biggest manufacturers of Su-30 aircraft of Russian origin, is able to provide the RMAF with the necessary support for its Su-30 MKM fleet, which is experiencing low serviceability concerns as a result of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine situation. HAL can assist RMAF in modernizing its Hawk fleet. The RMAF may eventually introduce further HAL platforms like the HTT-40, Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), etc.

The Kuala Lumpur branch of HAL will handle marketing promotion of HAL’s assortment of goods and services not just in Malaysia but across South East Asia. Additionally, the office will help the RMAF’s current operating platforms and those of nearby air forces in the area become more serviceable.

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.