Chalees Saal Baad

Fast forward 40 years, to 2013- 2014 wherein HAL recorded “an all time high” turnover of Rs 15,128 Crore, which is a staggering 17,600 % higher than that of 1973-74 [notwithstanding factors of inflation, exchange rates and so on].

During Financial Year 2013-2014, HAL produced 60 aircraft and helicopters along with engines and accessories, including Su-30MKIs, Hawks AJTs, Dornier 228s, Dhruv and Cheetal helicopters plus Pilotless Target Aircraft (PTA).

However, it was some years earlier, in 2010-2011 that HAL had produced the largest number of aircraft in one financial year, when 78 aircraft were delivered, including 25 Su- 30MKIs, 15 Hawks, 4 Dornier 228s, 3 Tejas LCAs and 2 HJT36 IJTs. As for rotorcraft, HAL delivered 23 Dhruv ALHs and 6 Chetak / Cheetahs.

2013- 14 also recorded some “very important milestones achieved for major projects”, beginning with the Tejas LCA where Initial Operated Clearance (IOC) was achieved on 20 December 2013 which “has paved the way for induction of the LCA into operational service with IAF”, 503 flights of the LCA, having been carried out, the highest ever flying effort in a year. Test flights of the Naval variant of LCA resumed on 30 October 2013 and 14 flights were carried out. “The Company has launched the series production of the LCA”.

Preliminary design activities of Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft ( FGFA), under joint development with Sukhoi Design Bureau, Russia and that of the Multirole Transport Aircraft ( MTA) “have been completed”, with preliminary design activities completed and technical configuration of the aircraft “finalised”.

The Government mandated HAL and National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL) for jointly taking up design, development and manufacture of 70- 100 seater Regional

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