Samtel HAL Display Systems Ltd (SHDS), a Joint Venture (JV) between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Samtel Avionics, has inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Gurugram, Haryana. It is the first public-private JV established within the Indian defence avionics sector.
The Ministry of Defence, through the Department of Defence Production (DDP), has notified the 6th Positive Indigenisation List (PIL) comprising 405 defence items.
It includes 389 items from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and 16 from the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The PIL focuses on critical components, spares, and raw materials, carrying an estimated business potential of ₹3,070 crore.
The initiative aims to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports.
Hyderabad-based Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (MIDHANI) has become the first company in India to secure the 'Independent and International Metallic Material Laboratory (S400)' approval from GE Aerospace, an American aerospace corporation.
The S400 certification authorizes the company to perform a comprehensive range of chemical, mechanical, and metallurgical testing on high-performance metallic materials and aerospace alloys.
Group Captain KK Venugopal (Retired) from the Executive Group of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has become the first Indian test pilot to be elected as a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) in the United States of America (USA).
It is to be noted that he was previously decorated with the Vayu Sena Medal (VSM) in 2004.
USA-based GE Aerospace and the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) have finalized a technical agreement for the co-production of F414 engines. The deal has been under development for 3 years.
The engines will power the next-generation fighter aircraft of India, as the country intends to procure 120-130 such jets. These aircraft are planned to replace the existing fleet of Russian made aircraft currently in service.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has inaugurated a new structure assembly line for the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) at its helicopter factory in Tumakuru, Karnataka. The facility features a dedicated LCH Structure Assembly Line and an Automated Storage & Retrieval System (ASRS).
It is to be noted that the Tumakuru facility currently has a production capacity of 30 helicopters per year, with plans to scale it up to 100 units annually. This expansion will help in the execution of a ₹62,700 crore contract for 156 additional LCHs, including 90 for the Indian Army and 66 for the Indian Air Force (IAF).