Bell Helicopter has signed a pact with India’s Dynamatic Technologies Ltd. (DTL) to explore the possibility of a helicopter cabin assembly partnership. Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), the U.S.-based company will evaluate establishing Dynamatic as a subcontractor for the assembly of the airframe cabin for its 407 helicopters, as well as airframe components and details.

NEW DELHI — India’s ambitious modernization of its armed forces is likely to be slowed by the federal government’s decision to slash funding for defense acquisition. A defense ministry official indicates that the government has cut defense spending by about 5% from the allocated 1.93 trillion rupees ($38.6 billion), mainly due to the ongoing economic downturn. “Several key acquisition plans, including the procurement of 126 combat aircraft for the Indian air force, are expected to be pushed for the next financial year,” the official says.

India’s Kingfisher Airlines has announced plans to resume operations by March even though the country’s aviation authority has refused to renew its operating license, citing the company’s failure to provide evidence of sufficient funding.