HAL to maintain Herons amidst India’s quest for MALE UAVs
HAL signed an MoU with IAI spanning leasing, operation and maintenance of fixed-wing UAVs. (IAI)
IAI, supplying Heron Mk 2s to India, has forged a closer relationship regarding maintenance of fixed-wing UAVs there too.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an MoU with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the leasing, operation and maintenance of fixed-wing UAVs to the Indian military at DefExpo 2022 on 19 October.
Fittingly, this was preceded by IAI opening a new subsidiary called Aerospace Services India (ASI) in Delhi. ASI will provide product lifecycle support services for IAI-based air defence systems in India.
HAL has engaged in depot-level maintenance of all IAI UAVs in India for around two decades.
At DefExpo 2020, IAI said it had ‘established, with local collaboration, an MRO dedicated to UAVs’. No further details have since been
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate]()
2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate
This year’s (geo)political turmoil has challenged many long-prevailing assumptions, leading to far-reaching consequences for air forces and their supplier bases in industry worldwide – with five key trends in review for 2025.
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
