- HAL currently has 11 dedicated Research and development (R&D) Centers and 21 manufacturing divisions under 4 production units spread across India.
- HAL is currently involved in designing and manufacturing of fighter jets, helicopters, jet engine and marine gas turbine engine, avionics, software development, spares supply, overhauling and upgrading of Indian military aircraft.
- Towards the progress of various R&D efforts, the company has incurred a total expenditure of Rs. 1967 Crore in the year 2021-22.
Bengaluru, February 24. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a defence aerospace company, in a bid to push indigenisation and value addition to products, has planned strengthening its Research and Development (R&D), for new aircraft projects.
The company which has been the flag bearer for the country in the aviation sector, has contributed immensely towards indigenous capability development in this niche segment. This was possible due to the continued focus on technology upgradation and innovative business initiatives.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said it is pouring greater funding and focus into research and development (R&D) to develop new aircraft projects for international and domestic military markets.
C B Ananthakrishnan, the chairman and managing director of HAL, said the company is breaking with decades of practice to launch new products without a prior expression of interest from customers.
“Initially, we began some projects with the sanction of customers,” Ananthakrishnan said. “Now, we are convinced about our capabilities and the need for our products. We are going ahead with research and development of new projects without sanction.”
Ananthakrishnan said HAL is formulating this new strategy based on the belief that once its projects mature and “become proven” customers will take interest in the aircraft.
To support the strategy, HAL said it is building an industrial ecosystem with the private sector to enhance manufacturing and funding.
HAL told that for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme alone, the company adopted the “system integrator model and has created a national aerospace ecosystem with the participation of approximately 140 design agencies and 100 plus production agencies”.
New Delhi’s mantra of self-reliance is pushing HAL to increase investment in developing its own aircraft.
The Indian Air Force displayed both domestically and internationally produced aircraft at the Aero India 2023 show, held during February 13-17, in Bangalore.
