TIMES NEWS NETWORK, BANGALORE: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has bagged an order from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to upgrade 17 Jaguar trainers with the latest avionics and 20 deep penetration Jaguar fighters. The IAF order worth Rs 1,500 crore will be delivered in two years.
HAL Chiarman N.R.Mohanty said: “The first Jaguar prototype with the navigation and weapon attack sub systems (NAWASS) upgradation created indigenously by HAL and Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), was flown successfully on September 29,” Mohanty said. Five test flights have been completed since. The test flight of the upgraded NAWASS trainer prototype would be done in 15 days, he added.
The upgradation was taken up indigenously after a British avionics firm that was to manufacture the mission computer, levied a hefty Rs 14 crore additional charge for a delay from HAL in providing specifications. HAL then turned to DARE to manufacture the mission computers.
Mohanty said HAL, DRDO and IAF were jointly undertaking upgradation of avionics for the MiG-27 fighters and the first upgraded prototype would be flown next year.
HAL is investing Rs 3,250 crore over the next three years to augment its equipment and capacity at five of its manufacturing plants — at Lucknow, Hyderabad, Korua, Nasik and Koraput. The plants will build the multi-role supersonic Sukhoi 30-MkI fighter aircraft. HAL would add a facility at Koraput for manufacturing the Sukhoi's AL31FP thrust vectoring engine, besides one for overhauling the aircraft. The Sukhoi 30-MkI indigenous production was on schedule, he said, and the first fighter would be rolled out in 2004.
HAL is finalising the technology transfer details for the British `Hawk' Advance Jet Trainer (AJT). The IAF requires 66 AJTs, of which 42 will be manufactured at HAL, while the remaining will be outright purchases.
“We will very soon be finalising a deal to sell the Advance Light Helicopter to at least one of the state governments,'' said Mohanty. The Indian government has placed an order of 50 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) for the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard to be delivered in 2006/2007. The DGCA civil certification for the of ALH is “expected anytime'' said Mohanty. Israel will partner with HAL in marketing the ALH in the international market; Israel's avionics will be used on the chopper where needed.
HAL will also upgrade 36 Mig-Bis aircraft for the IAF. They have already upgraded six in 2002-03. The company has also landed orders to manufacture 11 Dorniers.
HAL along with the IAF is working on a joint project proposal report on the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) that will soon be submitted to the government. “Once we are given the go-ahead, the first prototype will be ready within 30 months,'' Mohanty said.
HAL is also building the structure for ISRO's GSLV and PSLV launch vehicles. One cryo-tank built by HAL has been handed over to ISRO, said Mohanty. ISRO has invested Rs 35 crore in HAL for its projects.
