HAL board approves Rs 6,000-cr modernisation plan

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the defence ministry undertaking, plans to undertake a massive modernization of its facilities across the country involving an investment of Rs 6,000 crore. The company's board of directors recently approved the proposal and a detailed plan is being worked out.

R K Tyagi, chairman, HAL said in a statement that the company aims to take up activities in Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) and Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) business segments. "Modernisation is key to any business, especially in aerospace sector. It would focus on redefining the customer sourcing philosophy, advance resource planning and strengthening project and contract management," he said in a statement.

As part of business development initiatives HAL intends to diversify into civil aviation and is making efforts to re-open HAL Bangalore airport for short-haul operations, he said while delivering key-note address at Aerospace Luminary Lecture Series organized by Hyderabad chapter of Aeronautical Society of India recently in Hyderabad.

"We are already in a position to operate civil aircraft at HAL, Ojhar (Nashik), just about 200 km from Mumbai and 220 km from Pune. This should give boost to regional economy", he added.

Referring to challenges in Indian aerospace, Tyagi felt that RCMA, DGAQA, MSQA, DGQA and DGCA need to standardise the processes so that Indian organisations and products go for single standardised process. "The other aspect is our manpower which needs to be reinforced and cross pollinated", he said.

He also called for bridging information gaps between civil and military to leverage sectoral capabilities and technology diffusion.