Aviation

Manufacturing of the first prototype of India’s stealth fighter programme has begun

India is getting closer to achieving its goal of manufacturing its own fifth-generation combat jet as part of its persistent pursuit for self-reliance. The much-touted AMCA stealth fighter jet programmed, which has so far only existed on paper, is set to begin manufacturing.

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization recently announced the ‘metal cutting’ of the first prototype on Twitter.

The manufacture of the Leading Edge of AMCA began at HAL with specific material for the 5th generation design, based on the design of ADA and DRDO. Before being installed on the first prototype, the unit will be subjected to structural and other tests. AMCA has reached a significant milestone.

The AMCA will take to the skies for the first time in 2024-25, with series manufacturing commencing in 2028. Commercial defense businesses may be engaged in the manufacture of the combat jet, while HAL and ADA will handle the design and research. The upgraded stealth fighter will be a multi-role aircraft capable of air superiority, ground attack, enemy air defense suppression, and electronic warfare missions.

It will be a 25-tonne aircraft with a 1,500 kg internal payload and a 5,500 kg external payload, as well as 6,500 kg of internal fuel.

According to reports, the Indian Air Force has placed an order for 40 AMCA Mk-1 fighters and at least 100 Mk-2 versions.

Only the United States, Russia, and China have built their own fifth generation fighter jets thus far.

The AMCA will be developed in two stages: an AMCA MK1 with an existing GE414 afterburning turbofan engine that powers the LCA Tejas, and an AMCA MK2 with a new, more powerful engine.

With the AMCA, India will become only the fourth country to fly an indigenously manufactured stealth fighter aircraft. Turkey, on the other hand, is developing its own fifth-generation plane, the TF-X, with a debut date virtually equal to the Indian AMCA. Then there are the fifth-generation fighter jets being built in South Korea (KF-21) and Europe (Tempest and FCAS).

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In addition, India and France are close to agreeing to work together on the development of a 125kN engine for the AMCA. The improved AMCA engine is intended to be jointly developed by the DRDO and Safran, a French engine company.

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Because Safran and HAL currently work together on the Shakti engine, which powers the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv and its variations, a potential agreement for the AMCA engine should go smoothly.

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Aviation

Aeroflot Buys Used Planes for Spare Parts Amid Sanctions

In the face of ongoing Western sanctions that have severely impacted Russia’s aviation industry, Aeroflot, the country’s largest airline, has devised a strategic plan to bolster its fleet’s spare parts inventory.

The airline is set to acquire five Boeing 737-800BCF freighters from Atran Airlines, a move that will allow it to dismantle the aircraft for critical components. The planes, which will be transferred to Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary Pobeda, will not be converted into passenger jets but instead will be stripped for valuable parts to support existing operations.

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Aeroflot’s plan to purchase these Boeing 737-800BCF freighters comes as part of a broader strategy to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions, which have crippled the Russian aviation sector. With the sanctions restricting access to essential aircraft parts and spare components, Aeroflot is exploring alternative ways to maintain and repair its fleet.

Instead of converting the freighters from cargo to passenger planes, a process deemed “unreasonably expensive” under current sanctions, the airline intends to focus on extracting high-value components such as engines, landing gear, avionics, and other essential systems.

The deal will be structured in a way that allows Aeroflot to indirectly purchase the freighters through an insurance settlement with the aircraft’s lessor, AerCap.

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The Russian government’s insurance company will reimburse the aircraft’s value, and the planes will then be leased back to local operators. This method circumvents some of the restrictions imposed by international sanctions while ensuring that the airline gains access to the necessary components to support its fleet.

By dismantling the aircraft for spare parts, Aeroflot aims to secure critical resources for the ongoing maintenance of its existing fleet. Components from the Boeing 737-800BCF freighters, such as engines and avionics, are expected to be reused in other aircraft within Aeroflot’s network, ensuring that the airline can keep its operations running smoothly