HAL, IAF, ministry working on defence needs

The Air Chief also appreciated the extent of tech absorption

Indian Air Force (IAF), Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are working jointly towards meeting the defence preparedness of the country, a top IAF official said.

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff, who visited HAL’s Nashik and Bangalore facilities today along with G C Pati, Secretary (Defence Production), said: “MOD and HAL have been working on important defence projects. We together will continue to play a big role in India’s defence preparedness.”

R K Tyagi, Chairman, HAL and S Subrahmanyan, Managing Director (MiG Complex), accompanied them, HAL said in a statement.

HAL officials made a presentation highlighting special and new technologies in Su-30MKI’s manufacturing programme, the level of technology absorption, contribution of private vendors in it, status on establishment of facilities for Su-30 ROH (repair and overhaul) and the roadmap for indigenisation.

The focus was also on actions taken and support being provided to the IAF by HAL for enhancing the serviceability of Su-30MKI fleet.

The Chief of the Air Staff also inaugurated the warehouse for storing aggregates and spares of Su-30MKI aircraft and handed it over to the Air Force Liaison Establishment, Nashik. The warehouse is built by the HAL, Nashik with all the modern facilities required for storing all types of aggregates and spares.

The visit covered indigenisation cell, manufacturing facilities for 4.5 generation aircraft, newly-established repair and overhaul facilities, final assembly of Su-30MKI aircraft and flight-testing hangar. The Air Chief appreciated the extent of technology absorption, indigenisation and the confidence level to take up ROH of Su-30MKI aircraft by HAL.

Presently. HAL is manufacturing the aircraft from the raw material phase and till date has produced 150 aircraft. HAL has manufactured approximately 43,000 components in airframe and 6,300 components for engines. Twenty six special technologies have also been absorbed and mastered. With this, 70 per cent components are now made in India by HAL with 100 per cent technology absorption as per the contract in airframe and engine.

Raha and other officials also visited HAL’s Bangalore facilities and reviewed the ongoing project activities.

The high profile visit covered Hawk manufacturing and overhaul facilities, Mirage, Jaguar overhaul/upgrade facilities and new LCA Tejas Division. Later, Pati inaugurated the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) transmission test facilities building at RWRDC and went around the manufacturing facilities at Aerospace Division, the HAL statement added.