South African company Saab Grintek Defence (SGD), part of the Swedish Saab aerospace and defence group, has been awarded two orders, worth $33-million (about R335-million) in total, by Indian State-owned aircraft company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to supply it with electronic warfare (EW) self-protection systems. These will be fitted to the HAL Dhruv advanced light helicopters being delivered to the Indian Air Force and Army.
“Saab in South Africa fulfills an important mandate on the African continent and beyond by delivering an impressive range of South African electronic warfare technology,” affirmed Saab South Africa CEO Magnus Lewis-Olsson. “Up to 90% of these systems are being designed and produced in Saab Grintek Defence facilities in South Africa – we are proud to deliver on this important contract.”

The EW system concerned is Saab’s Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (Idas). This is already in widespread use on a significant variety of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. It provides rapid warning against hostile radar and laser systems and approaching missiles, and automatically activates the relevant countermeasures. It is designed to operate in threat environments that are dense, diverse and sophisticated.

These new contracts are follow-ups to initial production orders placed in 2008. Development of the definitive Idas version compatible with the Dhruv will be carried out by SGD in Centurion, just south of Pretoria. Production of the systems for the helicopter will also take place there. Deliveries will start next year.

“With these orders we continue to build on our very successful partnership with HAL,” stated Saab India head of marketing Lars-Olof Lindgren. “The fact that HAL and the armed forces have continued to show faith in the Idas system is a testimony of the effectiveness and reliability of the solution.”

“Saab has an unbeaten capability in the field of electronic warfare and self-protection,” highlighted Saab senior VP and Electronic Defence Systems head Micael Johansson. “The Idas system is one of our flagship products sold to customers around the world.”

Fixed-wing aircraft that Idas is in service with include the Saab 2000, Lockheed Martin C-130 and L-100 Hercules and Sukhoi SU-30MKM. The helicopters using the system include  the AgustaWestland A109, AgustaWestland Super Lynx, Boeing CH-47 Chinook, Denel Oryx, Denel Rooivalk, Eurocopter Puma, Eurocopter Super Puma, Eurocopter Cougar and the NH Industries NH90.