Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on January 6, dedicated HAL’s New Helicopter Factory to the nation at a function at Gubbi (Tumakuru). Speaking on the occasion, he hailed HAL’s efforts in strengthening ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in the defence sector by building India’s largest helicopter factory. From drone manufacturing to building Tejas fighter, naval carrier and transport aircraft, India is now producing everything indigenously, he said. HAL is manufacturing Tejas for the Indian Defence Forces and is the centre of global attraction. The factory will produce hundreds of helicopters and generate business to the tune of rupees four lakh crores besides generating direct and indirect employment boosting the regional economy, he added. The PM said that after laying the foundation stone in 2016, it was a momentous occasion to see the factory operational today.

He unveiled a Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) produced by HAL. 

The Prime Minister expressed delight that hundreds of arms and defence equipment are being manufactured in India which are being used by the Armed Forces. “From advanced assault rifles to tanks, aircraft carriers, helicopters, fighter jets, transport aircraft, India is manufacturing it all”, the Prime Minister remarked. Throwing light on the aerospace sector, the Prime Minister pointed out that the investment made in this sector in the last 8-9 years is five times the investment made before 2014 plus 15 years prior. The Prime Minister underlined that Made in India arms are not just supplied to the armed forces but the defence exports have also grown manifold when compared to the years before 2014. He emphasised that hundreds of helicopters are going to be manufactured in this facility itself in the near future which will give rise to businesses worth Rs four lakh crore. “When such manufacturing units are set up, it does not just strengthen the Armed Forces but also creates employment and self-employment opportunities,” Modi remarked as he underlined that small businesses near the helicopter manufacturing facility in Tumkuru will get empowered.

The Prime Minister emphasised that with the spirit of ‘Nation First’ success is assured. He talked about revamping and reforms in the working of the public sector enterprises as well as opening up opportunities for the private sector.

The Prime Minister referred to the recent propaganda to target the government in the name of HAL and said that falsehood, no matter how big, frequent or high, is always defeated in the face of truth. “This factory and the rising strength of HAL has exposed the purveyors of falsehood. Reality is speaking for itself,” he said and added that today the same HAL is making modern Tejas for the Armed forces and is a centre of global attraction and bolstering India’s ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in the defence sector.

The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated HAL and said that the inauguration of the Tumakuru factory is a big milestone in India’s journey towards ‘Aatmanirbharta’. The Tumakuru factory will boost India’s defence services. India has now embarked on a journey to become a global hub in manufacturing, especially in the field of defence. He described the HAL Helicopter Factory as a testament to the country’s growing indigenous capabilities and the Government’s unwavering resolve to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence manufacturing.

The Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said HAL is one of the leading companies and is the pride of Karnataka. He welcomed its presence in Tumakuru.

The Tumakuru factory will become a one-stop solution for all helicopter requirements of the country. With the establishment of facilities like Heli-Runway, Flight Hangar, Final Assembly Hangar, Structure Assembly Hangar, Air Traffic Control (ATC) and various supporting service facilities, the factory is fully operational. This factory is being equipped with state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 standard tools and techniques for its operations.

The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), initially being built in this factory is an indigenously designed and developed 3-ton class, single engine multipurpose utility helicopter with unique feature of high manoeuvrability. Initially, this factory will produce around 30 helicopters per year, and it can be enhanced to 60 and then 90 helicopters per year in a phased manner.

About HAL Helicopter Factory

The Greenfield Helicopter Factory, spread across 615 acres of land, is planned with a vision to become a one-stop solution for all helicopter requirements of the country. After initially producing LUHs, the factory will be augmented to produce other helicopters such as Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) and Indian Multirole Helicopters (IMRHs). It will also be used for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul of LCH, LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and IMRH in the future. Potential exports of civil LUH will also be catered to from this factory.

The HAL plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonnes, with a total business of over Rs four lakh crores over a period of 20 years.