Bangalore: British Aerospace Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries Limited are keen to join hands with the Defence undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to take India's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) to the global market, a top HAL official said on June 12.

HAL chairman and managing director N R Mohanty, said in Bangalore that the two organisations have said they would like to join hands for the marketing of ALH. The understanding is that the two would put their equipment on ALH platform and sell to customers globally, he explained.

Mohanty said he has asked them to give their commercial proposal so that the idea can be taken forward. "I am waiting for their proposal, which is expected anytime." Issues such as investment from both sides and profit sharing are yet to be worked out.

He indicated that Indian private sector would export ground-handling equipment for Russia's Sukhoi-30 aircraft to Russia, which in turn could probably export them to other countries.

Indian private sector can produce such equipment cheaper and better than those done in Russia, he said adding, during his recent visit to Russia, Russians have agreed to buy them.

Mohanty's comments came at a two-day National Seminar on Public-Private Partnership in Defence Aerospace Industry, jointly organised by HAL and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which began on June 12, and with interaction with reporters later.

Mohanty said the first flight of Intermediate Jet Trainer (HJT-36) would take to the skies in the current financial year, adding, it is estimated that Indian Air Force would need 250 such aircraft.

He said HAL has targeted a sales turnover of Rs 5,000 crore in three years. During 2001-02, the Bangalore-headquartered company clocked Rs 2,730 crore. The company is eying an export turnover of Rs 100 crore during 2002-03, compared to Rs 67 crore in 2001.

According to him, it is possible to achieve the sales target as HAL is enjoying the confidence of the Armed Forces, Government of India, while the order book is full and plenty of work is on the pipeline.

Government, he said, has sanctioned Rs 500 crore for HAL to establish facilities for production of India's ambitious Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

Initially, HAL would produce eight LCAs under limited series production. Mohanty said HAL has taken up manufacture of Sukhoi-30 MKI under technology from Russia. In all, 140 numbers would be manufactured, with the first one rolling out in 2004 and the last in 2017. The whole project entails an investment of Rs 22,000 crore, he added.

A proposal for the development of Light Attack Helicopter, a spin-off of the ALH, has been submitted to the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is currently examining it, he said.

PTI