HAL lost the Rafale race in France, but it proved to be the ultimate winner in India. These are some of the top-class aircraft made at HAL facilities this year:
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, India’s premier aircraft manufacturer, is in news due to the Rafale controversy. The Opposition, especially the Congress has been, critical of the fact that despite experience, HAL lost the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale fighter jet deal to Anil Ambani’s rookie Reliance Defence.
There were more trouble when former French President Francois Hollande said that it was Indian government that told him to go with Reliance Defence. Modi government, however, repeatedly said that it was Dassault Aviation’s decision to choose Reliance Defence.
In fact, there were questions raised over HAL’s capability. Earlier, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had also questioned the production capacity of HAL.
But amid the debate, on Friday, the public limited company announced its highest ever turnover of Rs 18,28,386 lakh in FY 2017-18, in comparison with the previous year's turnover of Rs. 17,60,379 lakhs.
The company underlined that it has produced 40 aircrafts and helicopters, including Su-30 MKI, LCA Tejas and Dornier Do-228 in fixed wing and ALH Dhruv and Cheetal Helicopters in rotary wing. In addition, the company said it has produced 105 new engines, overhauled 220 aircraft/ helicopters and 550 engines and 146 new aero-structures for space programs were produced during the period. Here’s a look at some of these aircraft that a very much ‘Made in India’:
(With ANI inputs); (All photos sourced from HAL)
1. Tejas: The single-engine wonder
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Tejas is a single engine, light weight, highly agile, multi-role supersonic fighter. The aircraft with delta wing is designed for ‘air combat’ and ‘offensive air support’ with ‘reconnaissance’ and ‘anti-ship’ as its secondary roles. HAL is Aeronautical Development Agency is the designated project manager for the development of LCA.
2. Sukhoi: The ultimate bomber
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The twin-seater, multi-role Sukhoi SU-30 MKI is a long range fighter jet. It's a multi-role fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions.
3. Hawk: Advanced jet trainer
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The Hawk is a tandem-seat Aircraft for ground attack, flying training and weapon training. It has a low wing and an all-metal structure and is powered by an Adour Mk 871 turbofan engine.
4. Dornier: The multi-purpose aircraft
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The 19-seater aircraft is a versatile multi-purpose light transport aircraft. The aircraft is being widely used for air-taxi operations, coast guard duties and maritime surveillance
5. Dhruv: Advanced light helicopter
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The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) is a twin engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5 ton weight class.
