Manufacturing of helicopters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s helicopter factory in Tumakuru district of Karnataka. Tumakuru is situated at a distance of 70 km northwest of Bangalore.

About the Manufacturing Plant –

• This helicopter factory is Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility.
• The plant will initially produce Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs). LUH is an indigenously designed and developed 3-ton class, single-engine multipurpose utility helicopter with the unique feature of high manoeuvrability.
• The factory will be expanded to manufacture other helicopters such as Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Indian Multirole Helicopter (IMRH) in the future.

Significance –

• This factory is being equipped with state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 standard tools and techniques for its operations.
  • Industry 4.0, which refers to the fourth industrial revolution, is the cyber-physical transformation of manufacturing.
  • The name is inspired by Germany’s Industrie 4.0, a government initiative to promote connected manufacturing and a digital convergence between industry, businesses and other processes.
• 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.
• This will result in providing employment for around 6,000 people in the region, the PMO said.
• 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.

About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) –

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) came into existence on 1st October 1964. It is owned by the Government of India.
• The company develops, designs, manufactures, and supplies aircraft, helicopters, avionics, and communications equipment for military and civil markets.
• It also provides repair, maintenance, and support services for aircraft.
• HAL serves the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Indian Navy, Defence Research & Development Organization, Indian Coast Guard, Indian Space Research Organization, Mauritius Police Force, Boeing, and Airbus Industries.
• HAL is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.