State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is increasing its efforts to concentrate on programmes catering to civil aviation requirements in addition to their military commitments. The renewed focus coming after the recommendations by former Cabinet secretary BK Chaturvedi-led committee on restructuring of the aircraft maker. HAL Chairman, Mr RK Tyagi said that the company’s Transport Aircraft Division (TAD- Kanpur) has signed a long-term agreement with Ruag Aerospace Germany for manufacture and supply of complete structural assemblies of Dornier DO-228 aircraft, including fuselage, wing sections and control surfaces. According to reports, HAL requires approximately Rs 20,000 crore over the next five years for their modernisation plans. To support this, a 10% disinvestment was also proposed through IPO, mostly to cater to the civil aviation market as suggested by the Mr Chaturvedi Committee. Earlier, HAL provided support to National Aerospace Laboratories for similar projects concerning civil aircraft. “So far, eight sets of these assemblies have been delivered to Ruag. TAD-Kanpur is the only agency in the country to have received EASA certification for supply of these work-packages,” Mr Tyagi said. During the biennial event — Aero India 2013, aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation had handed over the licensing certificate for HAL Ozar Airport making it the first aerodrome to undertake both military and civil flights. Mr Tyagi said that over the years the company has produced 116 DO-228 and 89 HS 748 (Avro) aircraft out of which 14 and 22 were delivered to civil customers.
Source: Indian Express
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