Asia’s Largest Helicopter Factory In Tumukaru Karnataka: In this article, ”Asia’s Largest Helicopter Factory In Tumukaru Karnataka” we will read about Tumukaru Helicopter Factory, What Is HAL?, Aim and Significance of Asia’s Largest Helicopter Factory Developed By HAL.
Context Of HAL’s Helicopter Manufacturing Unit
In News
- PM Modi on January 26, 2023 will unveil Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility in Karnataka’s Tumakuru which is also a new greenfield helicopter factory.
- This helicopter factory is Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility and will initially produce Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs).
Background
In 2016, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL’s) new helicopter manufacturing facility in Tumakuru, Karnataka.
About LUH
- Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is an indigenously designed and developed 3-ton class, single-engine multipurpose utility helicopter with the unique feature of high maneuverability.
Role Of The HAL’s Helicopter Manufacturing Unit
- Helicopter Manufacturing Hub: The HAL Helicopter plant will be expanded to build helicopters, such as Indian Multirole Helicopters and Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) (IMRHs).
- Future Plan: In the future, it will also be utilized for LCH, LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and IMRH (Indian Multi-Role Helicopter) maintenance, repair, and overhaul.
- Export of LUH: This plant will also serve potential exports of a civil version of the LUH.
- Target for Next Two Decades: Over the next two decades, HAL intends to produce over 1,000 helicopters weighing between 3 and 15 tonnes, bringing in over Rs 4,000 crores in revenue.
- Local Development: The Tumakuru plant would increase local development through its CSR initiatives in addition to creating jobs.
About HAL’s Chopper Manufacturing Unit
- One Stop Solution For Helicopter Requirements: The Greenfield helicopter plant, which spans 615 acres of land in Tumukaru Karnataka, was designed with the intention of serving as the nation’s one-stop shop for all helicopter requirements.
- Location: The Greenfield helicopter factory, spread across 615 acres of land. It is located in Tumukaru, Karnataka.
- Largest Helicopter Manufacturing Unit: The Tumukaru Helicopter Manufacturing Unit by HAL in Karnataka is the largest helicopter manufacturing facility in India and Asia and it would initially construct Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs).
- Fully Operational: With the establishment of facilities like heli-runway, flight hangar, final assembly hangar, structure assembly hangar, air traffic control and various supporting service facilities, the factory is fully operational.
- Industry 4.0 standard: This factory is being equipped with state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 standard tools and techniques for its operations, said the defence ministry.
- Initial Production Units: This facility will initially produce about 30 helicopters annually, with the capacity increasing gradually to 60 and finally 90.
What Is the aim of HAL’s Largest Helicopter Factory In Tumukaru?
- Initially HAL’s Helicopter Factory will produce around 30 helicopters per year and can be enhanced to 60 and then 90 per year in a phased manner.
- Ambition: HAL’s ambition for the Tumakuru plant extends well beyond the LUH to an entire ecosystem of home-grown light helicopters.
- Manufacturing Unit: The factory will be augmented to produce other helicopters such as Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) and Indian Multirole Helicopters (IMRHs).
- Maintenance & Repairing Unit: It will also be used for maintenance, repair and overhaul of LCH, LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and IMRH (Indian Multi-Role Helicopter) in the future.
- Export Unit: Potential exports of a civil version of the LUH will also be catered to from this factory.
- Business Unit: HAL plans to build more than 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonnes, generating business of over Rs 4,00,000 crores over the coming two decades.
- Employment Generating & Development Unit: Besides generating employment, the Tumakuru facility will boost the development of surrounding areas through its CSR activities.
Significance Of HAL Helicopter Manufacturing Unit For India
- To Make India Self Reliant: HAL Developed Asia’s Largest Helicopter Factory In Tumukaru Karnataka and this facility will enable India to meet its entire requirement of helicopters indigenously and will attain the distinction of enabling self-reliance in helicopter design, development and manufacture in the country.
- Industry 4.0 standard: The factory will have a manufacturing setup of Industry 4.0 standards.
- Over the next 20 years, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is planning to produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the class of 3-15 tonnes from Tumakuru.
- Employment Generation: This will result in providing employment for around 6,000 people in the region.
- Will boost the aerospace manufacturing ecosystem: The proximity of the HAL factory, with the existing HAL facilities in Bengaluru, will boost the aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in the region and support skill and infrastructure development such as schools, colleges and residential areas.
| Important Fact
Defence outlay in Budget 2023-24: In the Union Budget for FY24, the government has allocated an outlay of ₹5.94 lakh crore to the defence sector, which represents 13.18% of the total budget. This includes an amount of ₹1,38,205 crore for defence pensions. The total outlay given to the defence sector witnessed a surge of 13% by ₹68,371.49 crore as compared to that of the previous year. |
History of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a public sector enterprise engaged in the design development manufacture repair overhaul upgrade and servicing of a wide range of products including aircraft helicopters aero-engines avionics accessories and aerospace structures.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was incorporated as a Private Limited Company with the name ‘Aeronautics India Limited’ on August 16 1963.
- Subsequently Hindustan Aircraft Limited a Company incorporated on December 23 1940 merged with the Company pursuant to the Aircraft Companies’ Amalgamation Order dated September 28 1964.
- The name of the Company was changed to ‘Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’ on December 05 1964 with effect from October 01 1964In 1970 the Company established the Helicopter factory at Bangalore.
- The Company was notified as a Navratna Company by the Department of Public Enterprises GoI through notification on June 27 2007.
- The Navratna status provides the Company with strategic and operational autonomy and enhanced powers to make prompt investment decisions subject to an overall investment ceiling set by the GoI.In 2008 the Company created a separate Helicopter Complex.
- During the year 2018-19 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) completed all weapon integration and firing tests in January 2019 and is ready for induction.
