Article Posted on : - Feb 12, 2009

IAF's maritime Jaguar

BANGALORE (BNS): Engine maker Honeywell is seeking contract from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to upgrade Jaguar deep penetration aircraft. The US aerospace giant is offering F125IN turbofan engine for Jaguars which also have a lethal maritime version.

The company officials claimed here that the engine with its enhanced features can save up to Rs 7000 crore for IAF in maintenance. The IAF is about to invite bids for the contract to put new engines in Jaguars. The contract is expected to be finalised next year. Honeywell hopes that the F125IN will emerge the clear winner as it is the best engine in its class and ideal for a platform like Jaguar.

The engine has already been shown to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore in November 2007. The company already has technology centres in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Madurai. It has an automation and control systems design for the aviation sector in Gurgaon, Pune and Chennai.

The company has a big presence in India. Phoenix, Texas-based Honeywell expects annual revenues from its Indian operations to almost double to $1 billion in the next three years from the present $500 million - $600 million.

Jaguar is IAF's frontline strike aircraft. It has undergone upgradation and now has state of the art sensors and avionics. It also has a maritime version to engage major threats from the sea. The aircraft were purchased more than a decade ago.