In order to fulfil the demand for civilian needs of helicopters, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will invest ₹400 crore to set up a manufacturing plant to build a fully indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).
Addressing reporters at the Aero India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Chairman T Suvarna Raju said, “The company will be building a green field manufacturing facility near Bengaluru to manufacture the helicopters.”
The Karnataka government has allotted 610 acres land for this facility. The project is expected to commence by the middle of this year and production will start from April 2017.
The facility will have all complexes such as aero structures, engines, aggregators and residential quarters and it will have an annual production capacity for 60 helicopters and the Centre has approved the setting up of new manufacturing plant for LUH.
“HAL will design, develop and manufacture LUHs at this facility indigenously. However, we are also exploring co-production opportunities with an overseas partner.”
There is a demand for 400-600 helicopters by the Indian industry in the next five years. HAL is expected to get certification for LUH by April 2017 and equipped with single French engine from Snecma.
The government has mandated Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and National Aeronautical Laboratory for jointly taking up design, development and manufacture of 70-100 seater regional Civil Aircraft through a Special Purpose Vehicle.