Agent_47
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State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) handed over the first two indigenously developed light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas to the Indian Air Force in July.
With the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government allowing up to 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector—49% FDI participation under the automatic route and beyond 49% through government approval—HAL, a Bangalore-based aerospace and defence firm, is looking at more private sector participation to boost defence manufacturing in India. The NDA government has placed defence orders worthRs.2 trillion to encourage domestic manufacturing and foreign investments.
In an interview with InfraCircle, T. Suvarna Raju, chairman and managing director of HAL, spoke about the opportunity for the Indian industry in defence production, role of the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and its light utility helicopters becoming operational shortly. Edited excerpts.
Now that India allows up to 100% FDI in defence, what are your expectations?
It is supposed to bring in a great change. Stakeholders can bring in (advanced) technologies and that will further fuel growth in defence production.
Do you have plans to work with private entities in India?
Yes, we want a third (assembly) line to be run by the private sector. In fact we want the private players to come in now and produce LCA or light combat helicopter (LCH) as we don’t want to make more investments into this space. As of now, our LCA project is doing well and the government has already placed orders for 100 LCA. We have also started a series of productions.
What role do you see for Indian manufacturers and suppliers in defence production, in the light of Make in India initiative?
We want to increase our production to 16 LCA a year. In the past, HAL would have added a third (assembly) line to create a capacity of 24 planes a year. But we don’t want to do it now; we want the industry people out there to come up with it. As for the ‘Make in India’ initiative, it is an opportunity for the Indian industry and they can make components and supply to us.
What’s the way ahead for HAL?
We are moving ahead with our plans for fixed-wing LCA, rotary-wing LCH and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) besides others projects. HAL has helped develop Rustom—a remote-controlled, medium-altitude and long-endurance combat UAV. We are now trying to get a performance-based logistics system in place, which would be crucial for maintenance. Then there are MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) packages that we handle. We are one of the six nations in the world who make helicopters or have the capabilities of manufacturing choppers. We have developed advanced light helicopters; our advanced combat helicopter is ready and in a few days, HAL’s light utility helicopters will be operational.
http://www.vccircle.com/infracircle...cturing-hindustan-aeronautics-t-suvarna-raju/
With the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government allowing up to 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence sector—49% FDI participation under the automatic route and beyond 49% through government approval—HAL, a Bangalore-based aerospace and defence firm, is looking at more private sector participation to boost defence manufacturing in India. The NDA government has placed defence orders worthRs.2 trillion to encourage domestic manufacturing and foreign investments.
In an interview with InfraCircle, T. Suvarna Raju, chairman and managing director of HAL, spoke about the opportunity for the Indian industry in defence production, role of the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and its light utility helicopters becoming operational shortly. Edited excerpts.
Now that India allows up to 100% FDI in defence, what are your expectations?
It is supposed to bring in a great change. Stakeholders can bring in (advanced) technologies and that will further fuel growth in defence production.
Do you have plans to work with private entities in India?
Yes, we want a third (assembly) line to be run by the private sector. In fact we want the private players to come in now and produce LCA or light combat helicopter (LCH) as we don’t want to make more investments into this space. As of now, our LCA project is doing well and the government has already placed orders for 100 LCA. We have also started a series of productions.
What role do you see for Indian manufacturers and suppliers in defence production, in the light of Make in India initiative?
We want to increase our production to 16 LCA a year. In the past, HAL would have added a third (assembly) line to create a capacity of 24 planes a year. But we don’t want to do it now; we want the industry people out there to come up with it. As for the ‘Make in India’ initiative, it is an opportunity for the Indian industry and they can make components and supply to us.
What’s the way ahead for HAL?
We are moving ahead with our plans for fixed-wing LCA, rotary-wing LCH and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) besides others projects. HAL has helped develop Rustom—a remote-controlled, medium-altitude and long-endurance combat UAV. We are now trying to get a performance-based logistics system in place, which would be crucial for maintenance. Then there are MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) packages that we handle. We are one of the six nations in the world who make helicopters or have the capabilities of manufacturing choppers. We have developed advanced light helicopters; our advanced combat helicopter is ready and in a few days, HAL’s light utility helicopters will be operational.
http://www.vccircle.com/infracircle...cturing-hindustan-aeronautics-t-suvarna-raju/
