The Hindu Business Line : HAL plans to make new military copter

In the pipeline Working on design of light combat helicopter. Designing and developing 15-20-tonne multi-role cargo aircraft with Russian cos.

Bangalore, April 4

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd said it had set the ball rolling to design, develop and manufacture a new class of military helicopter with a foreign partner.

It would be a 10-tonne-class multi-role helicopter and "the project would be undertaken in collaboration with a reputed foreign company," the defence aeronautics major said in a release.

HAL is already working on the design of a light combat helicopter, the LCH. The multi-purpose ALH, the advanced light helicopter, has been flying again after a temporary grounding. HAL said ALH production and supplies had been resumed, mainly to its defence customers.

It was working with Russian companies to design and develop a 15-20-tonne multi-role cargo transport aircraft meant for the forces of both the countries. This platform could be used for the proposed 100-seater passenger aircraft. The R&D spend amounted to Rs 412.82 crore during 2005-06.

Certification activities were being pursued for the Intermediate Jet Trainer and Light Combat Aircraft, with orders received for both types.

Gross profit rises 32%

HAL said it had for the first time cruised past the Rs 5,000-crore turnover mark. It posted 32 per cent growth with a gross profit of Rs 1,002 crore for the year 2005-06.

Sales turnover for the year ended March 31, 2006, stood at Rs 5,375 crore, recording 18.5 per cent growth over the previous year.

During the year, the defence PSU bagged contracts worth Rs 17,800 crore. Exports shot up 23 per cent to touch Rs 185 crore. It booked export orders worth Rs 249.33 crore. A record interim dividend of Rs 188.45 crore was paid, worth 156 per cent of its paid-up share capital.

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