Saab producing protection systems for Indian helos

LINKOPING, Sweden, April 1 (UPI) -- More integrated electronic warfare self-protection systems from Saab are to be featured on Indian Air Force and Army Dhruv light helicopters.

The systems are being provided by the Swedish company through follow-on orders – worth $78 million -- received from Hindustan Aeronautic Limited.

Saab said its Integrated Defensive Aids Suite provides warnings against radar, laser and IR guided threats and automatically deploys appropriate counter-measures.

"The success of IDAS continues and we are proud that HAL and the Indian Armed Forces have continued faith in the IDAS system, of which this follow-on orders is a clear indication," said says Micael Johansson, head of Saab's Electronic Defense Systems business. "It is a testimony of the effectiveness and reliability of the IDAS solution.

"With these follow-on orders we continue to build on our very successful partnership with HAL and further establish Saab as a local partner to the Indian industry and as a supplier of high-tech products and systems to the Indian Armed Forces", said Lars-Olof Lindgren, head of Saab market area India.

Saab will produce the systems at a facility in South Africa, with deliveries slated to begin this year and to carry through to 2018.