1,000-acre SEZ for aerospace industry in Karnataka

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Bangalore Feb. 7 Next, there will be a 1,000-acre special economic zone
(SEZ) at Bangalore for aerospace industry.

"We are in the process of acquiring land for this," according to the
Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy, at the Aero India on
Wednesday.

BEL signs two pacts

Bharat Electronics Ltd on Wednesday signed an MoU to set up a joint
venture company with Israel major, Elbit Systems Electro Optics (ELOP)
Ltd. The two will jointly develop, produce and market thermal imaging
and forward looking infrared cameras for Indian and global markets.

BEL gave an LoI to Elbit for the manufacture of tactical computers and
Elbit gave a supply order worth $0.45 million to BEL for a gun display
unit and other accessories required for Ireland.

BEL also signed an MoU with Northrop Grumman Corporation of the US to
explore potential co-production opportunities for domestic aerospace and
defence electronics requirements as well as Northrop Grumman's export
needs. It will contract manufacture for NG.

BEL met officials of Boeing to discuss possible offset projects and also
met officials of L3 Ocean Systems, the US and Azimuth, Israel.

Gripen team

The Swedish team of SAAB offering the JAS-39 Gripen fighters for IAF has
brought a record number of the fighters to the expo. Two 2-seater Gripen
- D; one single-seater Gripen-C flew in last week on ferry flights. The
aircraft belonging to the Swedish Air Force will take part in the daily
flying and static displays.

Raytheon's biz jets

US major Raytheon Aircraft Company has launched its brand new line of
mid-size and super light mid-jet business jets, the Hawker 750 and
Hawker 900XP for Indian customers.

The Hawker 750 is an ideal workhorse for the subcontinent and the 900XP
is for hauls up to West Asia, Europe and East Asia with one stop.

Priced at $11.2-11.9 million for two versions, the Hawker 900XP is due
for certification in third quarter of this year, start deliveries in the
fourth quarter and will launch Honeywell's new TFE731-50R engine.

Boeing in India

Boeing commercial Airplanes has committed to invest up to $185 million
in the country as part of its offset obligations from Air India's
purchase. The investment includes pilot training facilities, MRO unit at
Nashik and sourcing from HAL, IT majors TCS, Wipro, Infosys and Satyam,
according to Boeing Commercial's Senior Vice-President, Sales, Dr Dinesh
Keskar.

Its first Dreamliner will fly from India next year and Boeing continues
to be bullish on the country, Dr Keskar said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/02/08/stories/2007020806681100.htm