HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak, speaking at the Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture on January 22, outlined the ambitious projects underway and on the anvil even as it strives to increase the share of value added services to the IAF. Extracts from the speech.

HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) has grown and diversified, and aspires to become a global aerospace company. HAL’s major objective is to be a partner of the IAF (Indian Air Force) as it has been during the past seven decades, unwavering and stead¬fast. HAL would strive to meet the require¬ments of IAF—be it in the form of new air¬craft production or in keeping their fleets airborne through comprehensive mainte¬nance support. HAL has been tasked with a major role in the modernisation of the IAF.

We are currently producing the Su-30MKI, Hawk and ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) for induction into the IAF. Compared to the ALHs inducted earlier, the current batch has been upgraded by integrating several sensors and mission equipment to increase effectiveness and survivability in hostile environment. These ALHs sport the Shakti engines for high altitude operations up to 6 km altitude. Electronic Warfare Suite, electro optic sensor, Integrated Display Systems and other systems make this helicopter stand apart in its class. Weapons are also being integrated into the helicopter and these armed helicopters will be ready for delivery in 2011.