The Hindu Business Line : Work under way for HAL to begin civil aircraft production

Breaking new grounds: The Union Defence Minister, Mr A.K. Antony, at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the strategic electronics branch factory of HAL’s avionics division at Seethangoli in Kasaragod district of Kerala on Saturday. The Kerala Industries Minister, Mr E. Kareem (left), and the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr Mr T.K.A. Nair, are seen with him.

Our Bureau

Seethangoli (Kasaragod dt.), Aug. 23 The Union Defence Minister, Mr A.K. Antony, has expressed confidence that Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) — which produces fighter aircraft and helicopters — will be able to commence work on the production of civil aircraft within a reasonable time.

Paper work on

Addressing presspersons after laying the foundation stone for the strategic electronics branch factory of the avionics division of HAL at Seethangoli in Kasaragod district of Kerala on Saturday, he said HAL had already begun paper work in this matter.

“Our dream is that apart from fighter aircraft and helicopters, in the long run, we must be able to produce our own civil aircraft. HAL has already started the paper work. I am absolutely sure that HAL will be able to commence work on the civil aircraft within a reasonable time,” he said.

To a query if there will be collaboration with other countries for the production of civil aircraft, Mr A.K. Baweja, Chairman of HAL, said the company had come out with several helicopters of its own design. The company is planning indigenous design for the civil aircraft. It would work with other countries, where it requires their help in the production.

Bolivian contract

Terming HAL as a global player, Mr Antony said it already got contracts from Latin American countries such as Peru and Ecuador. “Negotiations are in final stages with Bolivia,” he said. The company has orders worth Rs 15,000 crore.

He said the HAL unit coming up on 200 acres of land at Seethangoli will begin operations in the next 18 months. The Seethangoli factory will undertake assembly, manufacture, repair and maintenance of all types of airborne computers and various other systems in the future expansion.

The initial investment for the project is estimated at Rs 70 crore. The new business unit is expected to generate a turnover of Rs 60-70 crore a year from 2009-10 onward and additional revenue through repair and overhaul of the systems.

NAVAL ACADEMY

Mr Antony said the Union Government was planning to begin operations of the Naval Academy at Ezhimala in Kannur district of Kerala early next year.

The late Rajiv Gandhi had laid the foundation stone for the academy in 1987. This will be one of the largest naval academies in Asia, he said.

Stating that recently the Government allotted Rs 221 crore for Ezhimala Naval Academy, he said: “We are going to commence the academy in early next year.” It will also train foreign cadets.

To a query on the series of violations along the border, he said the armed forces are ready to take any challenge.

The modernisation of armed forces is being taken up in a systematic manner, he added.

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