Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd aircraft delivery numbers up 63% in 2010-2011

  (Machinist.in) : New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) registered a substantial increase in the delivery of aircraft in the year 2010-2011, when the delivery numbers were 63% higher than the previous year. This was a result of improved manufacturing procedures, outsourcing and optimal deployment of human resources.

HAL has taken up indigenous production of SU-30 MKI, Hawk, ALH, DO-228, LCA & IJT. The initial stages of the projects were delayed due to additional re-work on jigs in respect of Hawk, late receipt of drawings from Russia for SU-30 MKI, integration issues of IADS with Shakti engine and other new items in respect of ALH and Design & Development issues relating to IJT and LCA. Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas has been completed in December 2010. So far, 1,659 flight tests have been completed.

LCA, Tejas Phase-ll Programme (Air Force version) was sanctioned in November 2001 at a cost of Rs.3301.78 Cr. with Probable Date of Completion (PDC) of December 2008. The project is likely to be completed by December 2012 with an additional cost of Rs.2475.78 Cr. The additional cost is to meet the expanded scope of the programme, increased cost of materials, manpower, maintenance of facilities, etc.

Phased development approach has been changed to concurrent development approach. Annual Review by Raksha Mantri, Review by Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Quarterly Review by Deputy Chief of Air Staff are being regularly carried out to check the delay in completion of project.

Indian Air Force has ordered 40 Tejas Mk-I aircraft (20 aircraft in IOC and 20 aircraft in FOC standard). Two aircraft will be ready by March 2012 for induction.

A Preliminary Design (PD) contract has been signed between HAL and Rosoboronexport, Russia on 21st December, 2010 for implementation of design & development of Prospective Multi-role Fighter (PMF) Aircraft programme by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) jointly with Sukhoi Design Bureau (SDB) of Russia at a cost of 295 million USD. The duration of the PD Phase is 18 months. Full scale Design & Development work will be taken up under a separate contract, which will be negotiated and signed towards the end of the PD Phase.

Presently, a requirement of around 250 Fighter Jets with induction in Indian Air Force from 2018 onwards is envisaged.