558th ARP Expands Its Presence in the Indian Arms Market

From 3 to 5 February 2021, the representative international aerospace exhibition Aero India 2021 was held in Bangalore (officially called Bengaluru), Yelahanka Air Force Station. This is the first major event in the country after the restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 524 Indian companies and 78 foreign organisations from 14 countries presented their products at the forum, including the Belarusian 558 Aircraft Repair Plant, which had already participated in a similar exhibition in India two years ago.

Aero India 2021 was held in a hybrid format for the first time in the world. It was possible to watch it online by visiting all the pavilions, as well as to follow the demonstration flights. The virtual events involved 338 participants. The alternative format made it possible to provide exhibitors with a huge scope of the target audience.

Visitors were able to familiarise themselves in detail with information about 558 ARP JSC activities and capabilities in the field of repair, modernisation and maintenance of aircraft equipment, new products, learn about additional services.

At the meeting of the Belarusian enterprise’s representatives with the Minister of Industrial Development - Head of the Defence Industry Cluster in Uttar Pradesh Mr. Satish Makhan, there was held a presentation was about the capabilities of 558 ARP JSC in overhaul, modernisation of aircraft equipment, production and supply of their components. The parties came to an agreement on the possibility of performing technical maintenance of aircraft equipment of the Indian Air Force in Uttar Pradesh.

Negotiations were also held with the management of MRF Limited, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited and a number of other companies, where issues of cooperation in the field of maintenance, overhaul and modernisation of aircraft equipment, production and supply of spare parts, air components and a complex of Gavia amphibious aircraft were discussed.

On 1 February 2021, the Indian federal government announced its intention to increase defence spending in 2021/2022 by 1.45 per cent - to 4.78 trillion Indian rupees ($65.4 billion). According to analysts, a slight increase in a new defence budget because of the general economic downturn in India in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic will force the leadership of the armed forces to make selective purchases and enhance the share of nationally produced military products. Despite the problems, the Indian market continues to work and promises new orders to Belarusian enterprises.