HAL to set up greenfield facility in Karnataka to make light utility helicopters

The PSU will invest Rs 400 crore to design and develop an LUH prototype by the end of 2015, which is expected to be ready for certification by April 2017

Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will soon set up a greenfield manufacturing facility in Tumakuru district of Karnataka to manufacture light utility helicopters (LUH), a top company official said.

“We have acquired 610 acres land from the Karnataka government for this facility. We will start the project by middle of this year and commence production from April 2017,” HAL chairman T Suvarna Raju said at Aero India here today.

“The government has approved the setting up of a new manufacturing plant for LUH,” he said. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 60 helicopters, and will have separate complexes for aerostructures, engines, aggregators and residential quarters.

“HAL will design, develop and manufacture LUHs at this facility indigenously. However, we are also exploring co-production opportunities with an overseas partner. Currently, we are in the process of identifying an overseas partner. The identification of a foreign partner is yet to begin,” Raju said.

“There is a demand for 400-600 helicopters by the Indian industry in the next five years. Considering the demand, we will also customise advanced light helicopter and secure civil certification,” he added. 

The public sector manufacturer will invest Rs 400 crore to design and develop an LUH prototype by the end of 2015, which is expected to be ready for certification by April 2017. The chopper will be deployed in multiple naval roles, and will be equipped with single French engine from Turbomeca.

According to company sources, however, the design of the LUH has already been finalised, drawings are getting released and parts are getting manufactured.