09 Sep 15. Aero Vodochody to challenge French Aircraft Tender. Czech aircraft maker Aero Vodochody said it plans to launch a legal challenge as an alleged “discrimination” and unclear terms of a French tender for military training aircraft rules hurt its offer of the L-39 New Generation trainer. Aero decided to pitch its L-39NG in the competition, the company said in a Sept. 7 statement.
“Unfortunately, on discovering what it considers to be major problems with the structure and conduct of the competition, Aero has decided to request an official inquiry into the legality of the tender process,” the company said.
Procurement Office Direction Générale de l’Armement, which is holding the competition, will make the pick. The aircraft will be used to train pilots for the Dassault Rafale fighter.
The criteria for a pre-selection draw on the Continuing Airworthiness regulations apply solely to civil aircraft builders but the competition is for military training aircraft, Aero said. The European Aviation Safety Agency sets the regulations.
Applying those regulations is “completely irrelevant” and “clearly discriminates against purely military aircraft manufacturers,” the company said.
Aero sought clarification and correction of “inconsistencies and ambiguities” in tender documents but received no reply, the company said.
There has been “unfair competition” as French officials publicly stated alleged preferences for a particular supplier and its aircraft, the company said. “Unfortunately, in the case of this competition, Aero are already aware of the preferences expressed in a number of public sources, including one newspaper report, by senior officials of the intended customer.”
“That information is already in the public domain concerning the intended customer’s preference is a matter of considerable regret for Aero, as a fair competition is unlikely when it is subject to such biased public commentary,” the company said. “Such public statements of preference also undermine the competition process itself.
“Therefore, Aero has decided to take the necessary legal steps to request a review of, and revisions to, the tender.”
Aero also asked Czech authorities to work with the company and to question the legality of the tender. Aero executives were not immediately available for comment and DGA declined comment. Alenia Aermacchi, with its M-345, made a submission, while BAE Systems would likely pitch the Hawk jet trainer. The Beechcraft T-6 Texan is also seen as a potential competitor. (Source: Defense News)
10 Sep 15. India: Reliance Defence ties up with UAE’s ADSB to build naval ships. Reliance Defence Ltd, a unit of Anil Ambani–controlled Reliance Infrastructure Ltd, has agreed to work with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) to construct warships such as frigates and destroyers over the next 10 years for the Persian Gulf nations. The companies are forming a joint venture to build and repair warships, and also commercial vessels, in the region, said a person close to the development, who did not want to be named. “The joint venture will open opportunities in the region over next 10 years for both the companies in excess ofRs.10,000 crore,” the person said.
ADSB is a regional provider of construction, repair and refit services for naval, military and commercial vessels in the region. It is 40% owned by Mubadala Development Company PJSC, 10% by Abu Dhabi’s government and 50% publicly traded on the United Arab Emirates’ stock exchange.
The pact could also see ADSB delivering maintenance, repair, overhaul and refit services to the vessels in line with regional requirements.
Reliance Group is likely to use its newly acquired shipbuilding facilities at Pipavav in Gujarat for the implementation of this collaboration. The group did not disclose investment details in its statement issued on Monday.
“Skills developed and the experience gained through this collaboration will further add to Reliance Group’s capabilities and position it fav