Taking another step towards ‘self-reliance’ in defence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the helicopter factory of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Tumakuru, Karnataka on 6 February. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and senior officials of the Ministry of Defense will be present on this big occasion. The greenfield helicopter factory spread over 615 acres of land, has been built with an aim to be a one-stop solution for all helicopter needs. This is Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility. Initially Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) will be manufactured here.
Initially 30 helicopters will be manufactured every year
LUH is an indigenously designed and developed 3-tonne class single engine multi-role utility helicopter with unique features of high maneuverability. Initially, this factory will manufacture around 30 helicopters every year and it can be increased step by step to 60 and then 90 annually. The first LUH has completed flight testing and is ready for public display.
HAL has a big plan
According to HAL, light combat helicopters and multi-purpose indigenous helicopters will be made in this factory. Apart from this, maintenance, repairing and overhauling of helicopters will be done in this factory. HAL is also planning to assemble future helicopters in this factory.
Other helicopters, such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and the Indian Multirole Helicopter, will be manufactured at the factory (IMRH). In the future, it will also be used for LCH, LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and IMRH maintenance, repair, and overhaul. This factory will also cater to potential civil LUH exports.
There is a plan to make more than 1000 helicopters in 20 years
HAL plans to manufacture over 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonnes with a total turnover of over Rs 4 lakh crore over a period of 20 years. Aside from creating direct and indirect employment, the Tumakuru facility will promote the development of the surrounding areas through CSR activities, including large-scale community-centric programmes in which the company will invest significantly. As a result, the people of the area’s quality of life will improve.
