An Indian-produced cockpit display system has been approved for frontline service in the country's Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters.

The multifunction display is produced by Samtel Hal Display Systems, a joint venture between Samtel Display Systems and Hindustan Aeronautics. It can display a range of mission-critical information, such as maps and combat data.

"The real purpose of the joint venture is to make indigenous all types of cockpit displays for the Indian air force's new or upgraded planes," says Puneet Kaur, executive director of Samtel. The equipment can be installed in fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, he adds.

The new display was approved after more than a year of tests in the Su-30MKI conducted by the Indian air force.

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Kaur says the joint venture with Hindustan Aeronautics has already signed memoranda of understanding with manufacturers involved in the air force's 126-platform medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) contest, to supply the ultimate winner with its equipment.

Contenders for the MMRCA deal are the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-35 and Saab Gripen NG.

Source: Flight International