Article Posted on : - Jul 07, 2011

A file photo.

OSLO (BNS): Navigation and other air traffic management (ATM) equipment from Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems is being provided to air bases in India under the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Modernisation of Air Field Infrastructure (MAFI) project. Equipment includes Doppler VHF omni-directional range systems (DVOR) and instrument landing systems (ILS).

Under the contract awarded by The Tata Power Company Limited, Strategic Electronics Division (Tata Power SED), Northrop Grumman will supply 30 NORMARC 7000 ILS and 31 NORMARC DVOR systems with deliveries to be completed in 42 months.

"The MAFI-I contract, won against a global tender of the defence ministry, is a watershed moment, not only for us, but also for increasing private sector participation in the Indian defence sector," Tata Power SED chief executive officer Rahul Chaudhry, was quoted as saying in a Northrop Grumman news release.

This is the first phase of the MAFI India project. The current contract provides an option for a second phase of the programme for modernising a further 30 airfields operated by the Indian armed forces.

The project is being implemented by the Indian Air Force to ensure its air fields are capable of handling all types of aircraft operated by the air force at all times, including modern jet fighters and military transport aircraft currently being acquired. When completed, the project will provide the airfields with modern air traffic management, navigation and landing systems, and meteorological and communications facilities.