State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, after contributing to the success of Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) and GSLV Mk III launch in 2014, is now taking steps to open an Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing (ICEM) facility at Bengaluru. The facility, which will focus on manufacturing, integrating and testing the Cryogenic Engine CE20 and Semi Cryogenic Engine SE2000, would make HAL one among the technologically prudent companies across the globe. On the R&D front, the company, under outgoing chairman RK Tyagi, has done extremely well during 2014 by focusing on patents and intellectual property rights. Over the last three years, HAL has transformed itself into a technology company from a manufacturing company. The number of patents filed by HAL increased from 71 in FY13 to 209 in FY14 and to 773 in FY15. In an interview with FE’s Huma Siddiqui, Tyagi discusses HAL’s business plans. Excerpts:
Any updates on HAL’s exports?
In line with HAL’s mission to become a global player, exports have been identified as a key thrust area. HAL has entered the global market with a diverse portfolio of products and services in the aerospace sector. With the emerging opportunities in the aviation sector and the scope in expanding HAL’s business spectrum, exports are expected to reach new heights progressively.
HAL’s exports have seen a steady growth over a period of time and the company is aiming to consolidate its position by leveraging its capabilities. Major exports during the last one year includes, supply of additional Dhruv–Advanced Light Helicopter Mk III—to the Nepal Army, handover of a second Dhruv helicopter for the Maldives and mid-life upgradation of the first Do-228 aircraft supplied to the Mauritius Police Force, besides overhaul of aircraft/helicopters/engines, supply of avionics for Su-30 and MiG-29K/KUB and upgrades. Avionics items manufactured by HAL are fitted as original equipment on Su-30 aircraft supplied by Russia to other countries.
HAL has established its credibility by supplying high precision structural & composite work packages and assemblies to global aviation majors like Airbus for A-320, Boeing for B-777, and Honeywell. Follow-on orders from Airbus and Boeing reaffirm customer confidence in HAL’s export performance in terms of quality, delivery & reliability.
In the past, HAL has supplied Dhruv, Lancer, Chetak, Cheetah helicopters and Do-228 aircraft to international customers and is also providing product support and training programmes for the above platforms besides support for MiG variants and Jaguar aircraft in service with international customers.
In the coming years HAL is poised to maximise the export opportunities arising out of the offset programmes linked to the acquisition of various new platforms by the Indian Armed Forces.
How many patents has HAL filed in your tenure? Can you share some details about the patents filed/registered?
I took over as chairman, HAL when only two patents were filed in March 2012. HAL focussed on intellectual property rights; we filed 773 patents in 2014-15, compared to 209 the previous year and 71 in 2012-13. Today I am proud that we have filed 1,067 patents as on date. These patents cover a wealth of intellectual property developed at HAL in terms of technologies, products, processes, software, etc.
There is a need for close to 500 helicopters. Is HAL ready to meet these demands?
Yes, HAL has produced more than 800 helicopters till date in various types and versions, right from licenced projects like Cheetah, Chetak, Cheetal to state-of -art indigenous projects like Dhruv MK I, Dhruv Mk II, Dhruv Mk III and Rudra in the existing facilities at Bangalore, and HAL has planned investment of R500 crore to modernise and augment the facilities at the existing location. Further, HAL is planning to establish greenfield facilities near Tumakuru for all future projects. In this regard 610 acres have been acquired and it is proposed to invest about R4,000 crore in these facilities. With this HAL is confident of manufacturing far more than 500 helicopters, which includes export market demand as well.
What is the update on the Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’?
The first series production of the LCA-Tejas took to the skies recently and is scheduled to be delivered to the IAF soon. HAL-designed and developed LCH Technology Demonstrator TD-3 made a maiden flight, signifying a paradigm shift in the company’s approach for design & development by building more prototypes to increase the number of flights needed for initial operational clearance (IOC) and reducing the lead-time.
