PTI, MUMBAI: State-owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd on Thursday said the prototype for the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) will be completed by 2007.
“The research and development process for the LCH design is progressing and the prototype is expected to be ready by 2007,” HAL Chairman Ashok K Baweja said.
Baweja said the company is bidding in several countries including South America and Europe for marketing Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) and LCH.
“We have received order for manufacturing 300 ALH aircraft which will be delivered in next ten years,” he said adding “Defence sector including army, navy and airforce are continuing to be major customers of the company.”
Baweja said Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) has placed an order for three Dhruv helicopters in civic role for Rs 111 crore including maintainence and pilot services. HAL on Thursday handed over the first Dhruv aircraft to ONGC and would commission remaining by the end of this fiscal, he said.
He said the company has stepped up the production capacity to 30 aircraft per year against 18 aircraft last year.
