HAL to Invest Rs. 600 Crores for New Production Unit in K’taka

June 8, 2012 defpro.com

Bangalore | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plans to invest around Rs. 600 Crores to establish a unit for the manufacture of ‘New Fighter Aircraft’ and ‘Engine Production’ at Chellaghatta, adjacent to the HAL airport in Bangalore. The Karnataka Government has agreed to support the growth and expansion of HAL in Karnataka. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between HAL and the Government of Karnataka here today at the Global Investors’ Meet.

“The new unit requires access to runway. It is a time bound programme to establish the infrastructure, production facilities and supply of the Aircraft,” says Mr. R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL. The Company has around 40 acres of land at Chellaghatta. A new Division for Aircraft assembly and testing and another new Division for Engine assembly and testing are proposed for the new fighter Aircraft programme.

The production facility has a potential to create direct employment for around 1200 personnel. Another 3600 jobs are expected to be created because of logistics, services and outsourcing activities.

HAL has contributed in creating an aeronautical hub in the seventy years of its growth in and around Bangalore. The Company has been instrumental in leading to the growth of small and the medium industries through a strategic outsourcing of production locally in Karnataka which has led to skill development beyond HAL. The regional development in terms of indirect growth of services, housing, schools and resultant employment has given livelihood for about 60,000 families in Karnataka. HAL’s modernization and growth plan will contribute to the next generation of Defence Forces. Along with this growth of indigenous industry, exports and additional business through offset arrangements would go a long way in strengthening the economy of the State.