CHENNAI: Mahindra Group on Wednesday signed an MoU with ShinMaywa Industries Limited, Japan, to manufacture and assemble Amphibious Aircraft US-2. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the defence expo -- DefExpo 2018 -- here. 

The Japanese company is the manufacturer of the planes which will now be made in India. Mahindra will also set up MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) units for the aircraft.

The MoU has come at a time when India and Japan are discussing the methodology of procurement of Amphibian Aircraft US-2 requirements of the Indian Navy. Both nations are working on the way forward to induct this aircraft in India.

SP Shukla, group president, aerospace and defence sector, Mahindra Group and Chairman, Mahindra Defence, said that “This partnership between two companies familiar with the aviation business is positive for MRO and maintenance services in the Indian defence aerospace sector. We are committed to absorbing maintenance transfer of technology for this large amphibious aircraft in India. Our partnership will contribute to growing Indian aerospace ecosystem.”

Yasuo Kawanishi, director, ShinMaywa Industries Limited, said, “This is a versatile aircraft ideally suited for Indian conditions. The US-2 is considered to be extremely useful for strengthening the safety and security of SLOCs, long range fleet support and island or off shore assets (both overseas and coastal). These missions combined in US-2 can earn for India the precious goodwill of nations of the Indian Ocean region commensurate with its identity as a responsible rising power. Japan Maritime Defence Force have extensively used this aircraft for many years now.”

This MOU also envisages both the companies to build up a strategic partnership for future versions of US-2 amphibian aircraft.

ShinMaywa US-2, manufactured by Japan-based ShinMaywa Industries, is a modern amphibious aircraft. It is a veritable force multiplier since it fulfil a multitude of missions. It is a unique aircraft and the only ‘in service’ open sea capable amphibian aircraft with state of art equipment, very rough sea operations (up to 3m wave height), riverine/lake landing capability, long endurance and extended radius of operations with large payload capacity.