Bengaluru, February 27

Government has adopted Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra of “Make in India’, for India and the world” to build strong defence and security infrastructure in the country. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh after inaugurating the new Light Combat Helicopter Production Hangar at Helicopter Division in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Complex at Bengaluru, Karnataka today. He said, in the last five years, India has made significant progress towards manufacturing military equipment indigenously under the 'Make in India' initiative.

Stressing that defence industry plays a major role in the economic development of the country, Raksha Mantri lauded the significant contribution of organisations like HAL - a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) that has helped India leapfrog six places to become the fifth largest economy in the world. He added that there has been increase in defence exports that have crossed Rs 17,000 crore in the last two years. Highlighting the Rs 35,000 crore exports target set for the coming years, Raksha Mantri expressed confidence that HAL, through its various platforms, will contribute significantly in achieving this milestone.

Shri Rajnath Singh commended HAL for being the backbone of the Indian Air Force and meeting the requirements of the Armed Forces. “The HAL has excelled both in operations and finance in the last five years. It has achieved operational clearance on seven platforms, including Light Combat Aircraft and Light Combat Helicopter, and overhauled platforms like Hawk and SU 30 MKI,” he said. Shri Rajnath Singh also appreciated that HAL had a turnover of Rs 19,705 crore till March 2019 and it gave shareholders a healthy dividend of 198 per cent.

Noting that HAL is now facing stiff competition from private defence industries, Raksha Mantri urged the DPSU to take this changing environment as a challenge and grab the opportunities to increase their competitiveness in the international market. He conveyed best wishes to HAL for its future projects in the field of fixed wing and rotary aircraft, hoping that the DPSU will lead India in civil aircraft business too.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman and Managing Director Shri R. Madhavan said, LCH is completely ready for operational induction and the Helicopter Complex is fully geared up for its production. He added that the new production hangar will augment the LCH production capacity to reach a peak production of 30 helicopters per year.

LCH is completely ready for operational induction and Helicopter Complex is fully geared up for the production of LCH, says Mr. R. Madhavan CMD, HAL.  The new production hangar will augment the LCH production capacity to reach a peak production of 30 helicopters per year, adds Mr. GVS Bhaskar, CEO, Helicopter Complex.  The techno Commercial Proposal for 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) helicopters has already been submitted by HAL in March 2018 and the order is awaited.  The total projected requirement is for around 160 helicopters.

HAL also apprised Defence Minister on the progress of new design and development program of indigenous Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH). The full scale mock-up was showcased to the Minister. The IMRH (for IAF, Navy and Army) is proposed as a replacement to the existing medium lift helicopters such as Mi17’s, Kamovs and Seakings which will phase out in the next eight to ten years and HAL is keen to complete the development of IMRH during this time.  Induction of indigenous IMRH will result in considerable savings of foreign exchange. Preliminary Project Report (PPR) for Development has been submitted to MoD for sanction of funds by CCS.

LCH is a 5.5 ton class combat helicopter designed and developed by HAL.  It is powered by two Shakti engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter.  The features that are unique to LCH are sleek and narrow fuselage, tri-cycle crashworthy landing gear, crashworthy and self-sealing fuel tanks, armor protection and low visibility features which makes it agile and survivable.  LCH has the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in Forward Bases at Siachen, 4700 mts above sea level with 500kg load.  As part of development, four LCH prototypes have been built and extensively flight tested with over 1620 cumulative flights (1239 flight hours).  LCH received Initial Operation Clearance (IOC) on August 26, 2017, in the presence of the Defence Minister.