Slew of New Initiatives to Boost HAL Capability

Among the leading participants at Aero India 2015 exhibition is Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), torch-bearer of India’s aerospace sector in aircraft manufacturing since over seven decades. On the side-lines of Aero India 2015, HAL Chairman and Managing Director, Dr T Suvarna Raju spelt out some of the initiatives the DPSU has embarked upon to take on current challenges in the rapidly proliferating aerospace sector. A ‘green-field facility’ for manufacture of Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Naval Multi-role Helicopter (NMRH) in Timkur District, Karnataka is one such proposal. HAL and National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) will jointly take up design, development and manufacture of 70 to100-seater regional civil aircraft through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), he also said. Towards narrowing the gap in skill requirements in the sector, now a meagre two percent when compared to Germany (75 percent), Korea (96), Japan (80) and UK (68), HAL has tied up with Bangalore Chambers of Industry & Commerce (BCIC) and Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies & Industries (SIATI) for skill development in aerospace sector. This aerospace skill council will firm up the skill requirements in long term of this highly technology intensive sector. A Design & Development Management Board (DDMB) under the chairmanship of HAL with members from DRDO Labs, Department of Defence Production and Services for synergizing the R&D efforts in country is also among the new initiatives. New manuals for purchase, system audit, accounts, outsourcing policy, indigenization policy, R&D policy, Employee Handbook have been released to align business processes towards better operational efficiencies, he also said. “The year 2015 is going to be a very special year for HAL as we will be celebrating 75 years of our existence and we are proud that we have been contributing to the nation’s defence needs and ‘Make in India’ concept over several decades,” he said. It may be recalled that Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar on January 17, handed over the first series production (SP-1) Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas to the Indian Air Force. Tejas is among the star attractions at the Aero India 2015 air show. HAL has successfully absorbed the technology for manufacturing Su-30 MKI, a 4.5 generation fighter and is manufacturing the aircraft from raw material stage onwards. Till date 150 Su-30 MKIs have been delivered to IAF since 2005. In addition, the first overhauled Su-30 MKI aircraft was also handed over to IAF on January 9, from HAL’s newly established overhaul facility at Nashik. With the establishment of this facility, HAL has developed capacities and capabilities to support Su-30 fleet for next 30 to 40 years, he asserted. This will have significant export prospects since nearly ten countries operate the Su-30 fleet. . HAL’s foray into the realm of space includes significant contributions to the successful Mars Orbiter Mission and GSLV Mk-III launch. HAL’s Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing (ICEM) facility at Bangalore will manufacture, integrate and test the cryogenic engine CE20 and semi-cryogenic engine SE2000 for launch of GSLV MKII and GSLV MKIII launch vehicles. Besides Tejas, HAL-built Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Technology Demonstrator TD-3 that made its maiden flight on November 12, 2014, is also among the display aircraft that is captivating audiences at the ongoing air show.