 |
|
Mr Ashok
Baweja, Chairman, HAL |
.
Hindustan Aeronautics has entered into a $700-million joint venture
(JV) agreement with Irkut Corporation of Russia for manufacturing
60-tonne multi-role transport aircraft (MRTA). Under this 50:50 JV,
Ilyushin Design Bureau of Russia will design the MRTA and Irkut
corporation of Russia will develop the aircraft.
Series production of 100-seater MRTA aircraft will be taken up by
the transport aircraft division of HAL at Kanpur. Initially, HAL
plans to develop MRTA as a freighter aircraft for military use.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Ashok Baweja,
chairman, HAL, said, “We are also in dialogue with Airbus for
setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) plant at the
existing HAL airport in Bangalore. The discussion will start taking
shape next month.” He added, “Once the upcoming international
airport in Devenhalli becomes operational, we will also use the
existing airport for certification process of our own aircraft.”
HAL has also signed a $20-million ten-year deal with the US-based
aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, a part of the United
Technologies company for manufacturing high-precision engine
components. “HAL order book as of March 2006 is about Rs 30,000
crore, which it expects to liquidate in three to four years,” said
Mr Baweja.
HAL is planning to set up an engine plant in Bangalore and Koraput
in Orissa for manufacturing the high-precision engine components
with Pratt & Whitney. These plants are expected to become
operational only after two years. Bangalore will have a plant for
static engine parts and Koraput for rotating engine parts. |
