HAL K’taka unit will produce 30 copters per year

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Monday inaugurate state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) helicopter production facility in Tumakuru, Karnataka, as the state is heading for Assembly elections in April-May.

It is India’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility and will initially produce light utility helicopters (LUHs).

In October last year, Mr Modi laid down the foundation stone of the Tata-Airbus consortium C-295MW transport aircraft manufacturing project in Vadodara before Gujarat election.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh will be present during the inauguration of the helicopter facility in Tumakuru.

The light utility helicopter is an indigenously designed and developed three-tonne class, single-engine multipurpose utility helicopter with unique features of high maneuverability. Initially, this factory will produce around 30 helicopters per year and can be enhanced to 60 and then 90 per year in a phased manner. The first LUH has been flight tested and is ready for unveiling.

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 `4 lakh crores over a period of 20 years. Besides generating direct and indirect employment, the facility will boost the development of surrounding areas.