Alpha Design partner with Adani Defence for Navy chopper upgrade

With the Navy embarking on an upgrade programme of a fleet of anti-submarine helicopters, Bengaluru-based defence equipment manufacturer Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd has offered "its expertise" in partnership with Adani Defence.

ADTL wrote to the Navy last month proposing its involvement in the MLU (mid-life upgrade) programme of KA-28 anti-submarine helicopters.

The Defence Ministry had cleared an upgrade programme for its 10 Navy Kamov Ka-28 anti-submarine warfare helicopters to give the choppers extended service life and enhance capabilities in terms of sensors and avionics.

The contract for retrofitting of the ten Ka-28 helicopters was tied between Russia and India in 2016.

ADTL said that they have "strong partnership" with Adani Defence and Aerospace Limited (ADAS) on important programmes where ADAS is the strategic partner.

ADTL, "with full support from ADAS", pledged to offer the Navy "its expertise in the helicopter upgrade programme" and proposed its involvement in the Navy's KA-28 MLU programme.

IANS sent queries to Adani Defence about the contents of the letter, the level of ADTL participation in terms of finances and shareholding, but there was no response.

The upgrade programme could attract offsets and orders for other Russian made choppers.

Designed in the early '80s, Ka-28 is capable of detecting submarines and surface targets and attack them with onboard weapons.

(With inputs from agencies.)