Bangalore: The Rs 2,775 crore public sector aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) has joined hands with Israel Aircraft Industry (IAI) for joint
marketing of the indigenously produced Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
Addressing a news conference at Aero India 2003, company chairman N R Mohanty, said
HAL on February 5 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IAI, whose
avionics would be integrated into ALH platform and both organisations would jointly
market globally.
Mohanty said HAL has also inked a pact with Turbomeka, a subsidiary of French major
Snecma, for co-designing and co-developing "Shakti" engine in India for ALH. Shakti
engine would have 12 per cent more power than the existing one with better
operational capability in high altitudes and carry more payload.
In addition, HAL would soon float a joint venture company with Snecma for producing
small aero engines for civil aircraft and the products would be jointly marketed
globally by the joint venture company, which would also manufacture turbo chargers
for Indian Railways and target other railways
overseas, he said.
Mohanty also said HAL has bagged $ 9million orders from Russian company Irkut for
supply of "sub-assemblies" for Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft.
Mohanty said Airbus Industrie has requested HAL for quotation on "structural
assembly order" relating to its A380 aircraft.
He said India and Russia would go ahead with a project to co-design and co-develop a
multi-role cargo aircraft, adding, a steering committee meeting is scheduled to be
held on February 7.
He said HAL has developed an Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) in a record three and a
half years and the maiden flight would take place in the next few days. Indian Air
Force has announced to place orders for 16 numbers of IJT.
Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall S Krishnaswamy has told HAL that Rs 300 crore
would be sanctioned for designing and developing of Light Attack Helicopter which,
Mohanty expressed hope, would take to the skies in two years.
He said HAL has so far delivered 12 ALHs to services and has bagged an order from
Mumbai-based offshore helicopter operator Azal Helicopters for purchase of civilian
version of ALH.
HAL would set up two dedicated hangars – Centre of Excellence for machining here –
at a cost of Rs 70 crore in the next 12 to 18 months, he said.
PTI
