Dhruv to spread wings in Israel fleet this January

‘‘We are looking at an international market of 120 Dhruv helicopters over the next seven to 10 years,’’ an IAI official said. The ALH carries an avionics package developed by IAI’s Lahav division. The system utilises a comprehensive electronic warfare suite, day-and-night observation capability, a targeting system and a flexible armament-carrying system. The Glass Cockpit avionics package has been designed specially to suit the requirements of the Indian armed forces and international customers. IAI officials said the MiG-21 UM trainer, upgraded in cooperation with HAL, will also be sold to a third country. The Barak missile, already deployed on Indian Navy ships, will have a new variant soon. ‘‘We are working to extend the range of the Barak,’’ they said.

IAI declined to divulge the details on the exact status of the Phalcon early warning systems India is purchasing, or on the Green Pine radar, part of the Arrow anti-tactical ballistic missile system.

Developed by IAI’s Elta subsidiary, the phased array radar is transportable and can detect dozens of incoming missiles under all weather conditions. Indian journalists were also briefed on the Homeland Defense system, the Laser Homing Anti-Tank (LAHAT) gun-launched weapon system (a precision guided munition, it miniaturizes the Nimrod missile) and the heliborne LAHAT. Journalists were also taken to IAI’s Malat division and shown unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the new Heron/Eagle long endurance UAV.