&w=3840&q=100)
Ukraine war, sanctions cast shadow on Indo-Russian joint venture for 200 choppers
The Indo-Russian joint venture to build 200 Kamov helicopters in India has stalled due to the Ukraine war, Western sanctions on Russia, and supply chain disruptions after the Covid pandemic, The Times of India reported citing officials.
India and Russia signed an agreement for the project in 2015. Later, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russian Helicopters formed a joint venture called Indo-Russian Helicopters Limited (IRHL) to carry it out.
'The Russians have had their own issues with their war with Ukraine and subsequent sanctions on them. They faced issues securing parts - particularly those previously sourced from Europe. Even the engine was coming from Europe. Now they are testing with their own engine,' HAL CMD DK Sunil said to Times of India, adding that HAL has been told the status of certification would be shared by the end of this year.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Sunil said the Russians had even agreed to the requirement of 70 per cent local manufacturing for the helicopters, but they needed more time. Of the planned 200 helicopters, 135 are for the Army and 65 for the Air Force.
'We've asked them for more details. Right now, things are uncertain. We'll wait to see their certification status before deciding,' Sunil said.
With the joint venture still stalled, HAL is focusing more on its own helicopter projects — the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), and the upcoming Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH).
Sunil said HAL's new helicopter complex in Tumakuru, Karnataka, is already producing the LUH and will gradually become the main hub for future helicopter production. 'We've built eight LUHs there so far. The LCH will also move there in phases. Eventually, our 12-tonne IMRH will be built there too,' he said.
Once fully operational, the Tumakuru facility will help reduce the workload on HAL's Bengaluru helicopter division, which will continue making the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
37 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Indian shipowners urge Nayara to end vessel charters after EU sanctions
At least three India-based shipowners have asked Nayara Energy to terminate their ongoing vessel charter agreements following recent European Union (EU) sanctions against the refiner, according to a Reuters report. The companies are said to be seeking a way out of their contracts amid rising concerns over possible exposure to regulatory risk. Nayara Energy, which is significantly owned by Russian entities including Rosneft, has come under renewed scrutiny after being targeted by EU sanctions earlier this month for its ties to Russia's oil trade. The shipowners' move reflects growing caution in the Indian shipping industry over associating with sanctioned entities. It is important to mention that there is no direct legal obligation under Indian law to comply with European sanctions. Legal battle with Microsoft The development comes after Nayara filed a petition in the Delhi High Court against Microsoft, alleging that the US-based technology firm had abruptly cut off access to its licensed digital services without prior warning or discussion. 'Microsoft is currently restricting Nayara Energy's access to its own data, proprietary tools, and products -- despite these being acquired under fully paid-up licences,' the company said in a statement. Nayara described the action as unilateral and taken 'under the guise of compliance,' arguing that Microsoft has no obligation under US or Indian law to enforce EU sanctions. According to Reuters, the software giant suspended Nayara's access to essential communication and collaboration platforms --including email and Microsoft Teams -- last Tuesday (July 22). The disruption has reportedly affected internal operations and communication across the company. Nayara's petition seeks an interim injunction and immediate restoration of services. 'This action has been taken unilaterally, without prior notice, consultation or recourse,' the company said, adding that it was a direct violation of its rights as a paying customer. 'Microsoft is currently restricting Nayara Energy's access to its own data, proprietary tools, and products—despite these being acquired under fully paid-up licences,' the company said in a statement. Nayara said the abrupt suspension—affecting tools such as email and Teams—was taken without consultation and described the action as being carried out 'under the guise of compliance.' The company is now seeking a court injunction to restore access. Emphasis on growth Despite mounting challenges, Nayara has underscored its strategic importance to India's fuel and energy sector. The company contributes approximately 8 per cent of the country's total refining capacity and operates about 7 per cent of India's retail fuel outlets. It is also in the process of developing nearly 8 per cent of the nation's polypropylene production capacity. In a statement, Nayara reiterated its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply across the country. Guided by the philosophy 'In India, for India,' the company's focus remains largely on domestic operations, including sales through retail stations, supply to institutional clients, and collaborations with other oil marketing firms. Nayara is also expanding its footprint in petrochemicals and clean energy, supporting employment generation and long-term industrial growth.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
India and Taiwan were leading buyers of Russian naphtha in June, LSEG data shows
India and Taiwan were the leading destinations for Russian seaborne naphtha exports in June, as cheaper volumes and domestic demand attracted buyers, according to traders and LSEG data. Naphtha is a primary feedstock in the petrochemical industry for producing olefins and aromatics, which are then used to manufacture a wide array of products, including plastics, synthetic resins, synthetic fibers, and various other chemicals. Since the European Union's full embargo on Russian oil products went into effect in February 2023, countries in the Middle East and Asia have become the main destinations for Russia's naphtha supplies. Naphtha export shipments from Russian ports to India in June totalled 250,000 metric tons, down 5% from May, and exceeded 1.4 million tons in the first half of 2025. Russian naphtha arrived at the western Indian ports of Mundra, Hazira, and Sikka, shipping data showed. India partially replaced naphtha purchases from the United Arab Emirates with cheaper Russian supplies in order to reduce import costs. Naphtha exports from Russian ports to Taiwan reached 234,000 tons last month, double their May level, and totalled 1.27 million tons between January and June, according to LSEG data. Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey and China were among the other top destinations for Russian naphtha export supplies in June. Ship-tracking data showed that no cargoes from Russian ports arrived in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates in June. Russia had supplied 80,000 tons to the UAE in May. Vessels carrying nearly 300,000 tons of Russian naphtha loaded last month are heading to Asia via Southern Africa's Cape of Good Hope. Asia received 150,000 tons in May. Traders have been diverting Russian oil products cargoes around Africa since December 2023 to avoid the Red Sea due to a heightened risk of attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group. All the shipping data above are based on the date of cargo departure.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Value of India's crude imports from Russia surges significantly at a CAGR of 96% during FY20-FY25: Report
New Delhi: India's oil and gas sector is undergoing a strategic transformation amid a fast-changing global landscape marked by shifting alliances, sanctions, and rising geopolitical uncertainty, according to the recent Rubix Industry Insights report. In a significant shift, Russian oil now dominates India's crude basket, accounting for about 35 per cent of total imports in Financial Year (FY) 2025, it was mere just 2 per cent in FY2020. The value of these imports has surged at a 96 per cent of compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years. This rebalancing is driven mainly by cost advantages and alternative transport routes that bypass the volatile Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the share of Middle Eastern suppliers has fallen, prompting geopolitical and commercial recalibrations. Now, with the US pushing for steep tariffs on Russian-linked petroleum exports and the EU tightening its sanctions regime, India is taking steps to protect a significant share of its petroleum product (POL) exports, valued at 44.4 billion in FY25. India has emerged as the seventh-largest exporter of refined petroleum products, with the Netherlands, UAE, and Singapore as key markets. On the supply side, India is the world's third-largest crude oil importer, with demand projected to rise from 5.64 million barrels per day in 2024 to 6.66 million bpd by 2030. However, domestic production continues to decline, dropping from 32.2 MMT in FY2020 to 28.7 MMT in FY2025. As a result, India's crude import dependency has reached 88.2 per cent. Refining capacity, however, has expanded modestly to 257 MMTPA across 23 refineries, making India the world's fourth-largest refining hub. The government aims to increase this to 309.5 MMTPA by 2030, backed by major investments from state-run firms like IOCL , BPCL , and HPCL . Natural gas, another critical pillar, saw demand reach 71 BCM in FY2025, with 50 per cent met through LNG imports. The US has overtaken the UAE as India's second-largest LNG supplier, aided by lifted export bans and long-term contracts. India plans to double its share of gas in the energy mix to 15 per cent by 2030, supported by pipeline expansion and regasification projects. Government initiatives have also propelled reforms in upstream exploration. Under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), the 10th OALP round offered 25 new blocks, and the Special CBM Round targeted unconventional gas extraction. These efforts are supported by updated regulations and policies aimed at attracting investment. The report notes that India's clean energy push is gaining traction. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana ( PMUY ) has expanded LPG access to over 103 million households, while ethanol blending touched 20 per cent in early 2025--six years ahead of schedule. City gas distribution is also being ramped up, aiming to cover 70 per cent of the population. However, challenges remain. Price volatility, US sanctions on Russian oil, and lagging domestic output pose persistent threats. The report warns that refinery capacity additions have lagged behind targets, and Middle East tensions could disrupt crucial supply lines.
