Saab bags two HAL orders for copter defence systems

Swedish firm Saab today said it has got two orders from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited worth Rs200 crore for integrated electronic warfare self-protection system for the advanced light helicopters in use by the Indian Army and Air Force.

"Saab has an unbeaten capability in the field of electronic warfare and self-protection. The IDAS system is one of our flagship products sold to customers around the world," said Micael Johansson, senior vice president and head of Saab's electronic defence systems in a release on Friday.

These orders follow initial serial production orders received in 2008. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2014. Development and production of the IDAS system will take place at Saab Grintek Defence in Centurion, South Africa.

The system provides a timely warning against different types of threats including radar, laser and missile approach warning and automatically deploys the appropriate counter measures, the press statement said.

"With these orders we continue to build on our very successful partnership with HAL. The fact that HAL and the armed forces have continued to show faith in the IDAS system is a testimony of the effectiveness and reliability of the solution," said Lars-Olof Lindgren, head of market area, Saab India.