Aerospace major HAL is in a massive restructuring and expansion mode as aerospace and defence sectors are becoming highly dynamic in the Indian context. At Aero India 2013, R.K. Tyagi, Chairman HAL, outlined how the company was gearing up to achieve its 2020 vision of becoming a $10 billion ( Rs. 55,000 crore) company, the portfolio including military and civil aircraft, MRO and UAVs. “We are working on 12 indigenous platforms—eight fixed and four in rotary.”

Leveraging expertise developed over the years, HAL is entering into civil aerospace. “Projections are that by 2020, India will be the third largest civil aviation market. The government has decided that HAL will lead the Rs. 7,500 crore programme to develop a national civil aircraft jointly with the private sector. Tyagi mentioned that HAL had received certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for Ozar airport near Mumbai and hoped that it would ‘decongest’ Mumbai international airport. He said that the Civil Aviation Secretary had endorsed the proposal to reopen HAL Airport in Bengaluru to civil traffic to decongest Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL). “BIAL was planned for a capacity of ten million passengers annually but had already crossed 12 million and was being expanded to cater for 17 million.” HAL airport could be used for short haul flights, he said adding that nowhere in the world an operational airport had been closed down to accommodate a new airport.

Military Aircraft Programes

HAL, he stated, has been on track on various programmes related to military aircraft. “Let me assure you that development of the intermediate jet trainer (IJT) is on track. We expect to have initial operational clearance (IOC) by December this year.” For the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), work had already been initiated with Russian partners. So also the multi-role transport aircraft in the 15-20 tonne class was being co-developed with Russia.

The mock-up of the light utility helicopter (LUH) at Aero India, he said, was HAL’s answer to the civilian helicopter needs of the country. “We hope to get IOC in the next two years.”

“As for the light combat aircraft Tejas, ADA expects to get IOC by June 2013. We are one of the partners and we have ramped up our manufacturing facilities, have made investments and teams are in place. Once the IOC is achieved, we will start delivering eight aircraft per year and with further investments, increase it to 16.” Similarly, plans are afoot to start work on the medium multi-role combat aircraft along with Dassault and 17 other associated companies.