onics to upgrade its performance. The
Plant & machinery and other infrastruc-
abroad with long lead times coupled with
upgrades on Jaguar Navwass aircraft and
ture are built up to meet the needs of the
irritants like unjustified price escalations,
MiG-27M aircraft were carried out indig-
specific new projects that are launched.
export restrictions, obsolescence needs to be tackled with great care. Within In-
Categor y
Division
dia, the sub-contractors are yet to develop from aero-structure/sub-assembly suppli-
Airframe
Aircraft Division, Bangalore
(Aircraft and Helicopters)
Helicopter Division, Bangalore
Aerospace
Aircraft Division, Nasik
aerospace grade raw material is being
Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur
supplied to private industries by HAL,” said
Aerospace Division, Bangalore
Nayak.
Barrackpore Division, West Bengal
Future Plans
Overhaul Division, Bangalore
“The major short term goals are to stabilize the production of Hawk, SU-30MKI
Helicopter MRO, Bangalore
and ALH to meet the planned acquisi-
Foundry & Forge Division, Bangalore
tion rate by IAF. Production of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to the series production standard is expected to commence
Airport Service Centre, Bangalore
from 2011. In the medium term, pro-
Engine Division, Bangalore
duction of Light Combat Helicopter, In-
IMGT Division, Bangalore
termediate Jet Trainer will be the focus.
Engine Division, Koraput
The development and flight tests on the
Sukhoi Engine Division, Koraput Accessories / Avionics
sourcing of raw materials. Most of the
Overhaul Division, Nasik
Composite Manufacturing Division, B’lore
Engines
ers to total solution providers including
Accessories Division, Lucknow Avionics Division, Hyderabad Avionics Division, Korwa
LCA trainer variant in coordination with ADA is another major milestone to be achieved,” said Nayak. The medium term goal also envisages establishing the production facilities for the recently launched Light Utility Heli-
enously further extending their opera-
In addition to setting up infrastructure for
copter. A system to liquidate offset oppor-
tional life.
new projects, upgrading and recondition-
tunities arising in 3 to 4 years is required
Cheetah helicopter was upgraded with
ing of various existing machinery and
to be put in place. HAL is planning to set
a new modern engine improving its per-
equipment are carried out every year to
up dedicated aero-structure and aero-
formance and as an economic alterna-
improve productivity and reliability. In the
component fabrication facilities for ex-
tive to the older Cheetah.
light of new projects like MMRCA, Fifth
ports. A clear picture is expected to ema-
Generation Fighter, Multi-role Transport,
nate after the completion of the selection
Multi-role Helicopters, there is a need
process of the MMRCA. Subsequent to
HAL has facilities for complete manu-
for expansion of facilities at HAL. Forma-
the selection of the aircraft, facilities will
facture of a modern aircraft from raw
tion of new production divisions will be
be planned for the licence production of
materials covering conventional, special
taken up after a clear picture emerges
MMRCA.
purpose machines, CNC machines, as-
on further orders for the on-going pro-
sembly infrastructure, ground test facili-
grams like SU-30MKI, Hawk and ALH,”
ties, flight testing establishment, etc. HAL
said Ashok Nayak, Chairman, HAL.
has 19 production divisions and 10 R&D
Challenges
Infrastructure
centers. “Plan for upgrading technology and modernization at the Divisions of HAL
“Supply chain, both from abroad and
is a continuous process based on the Pro-
within India, is the major challenge HAL
duction requirements of various projects.
is trying to overcome. Supplies from
22
R&D In line with its mission to achieve self reliance, HAL has established 10 R&D centers. HAL has designed & developed 11 fixed wing aircraft and an Advanced Light Helicopter. Mid life upgrades and product DECEMBER - 2009