PM Narendra Modi will hand over HAL’s helicopter factory in Tumkuru, Karnataka to the nation. News & Features Network

Karnataka: PM Narendra Modi will hand over the helicopter factory of HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited-HAL) in Tumakuru, Karnataka to the country on 6 February. Spread over 615 acres of land, this greenfield helicopter factory has been planned with a view to become a one-stop factory to meet all the helicopter needs of the country.

The Defense Ministry said that this is India’s largest helicopter making factory. Initially, this factory will produce Light Utility Helicopters (LUH). The LUH is an indigenously designed and developed 3-tonne class single engine multirole utility helicopter. Which has unique features of high mobility.
The Defense Ministry said that initially this helicopter factory will produce about 30 helicopters every year and it can be increased to 60 and then 90 helicopters annually in a phased manner.

Earlier LUH has been flight tested and is ready for launch. The Defense Ministry said that it will be extended to produce helicopters such as Light Combat Helicopters and Indian Multirole Helicopters. It will also be used for maintenance, repair and overhaul of LCH, LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter and IMRH. The potential export of civil LUH will also be catered from this factory.

The Ministry of Defense informed that HAL plans to produce over 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonnes with a total turnover of over Rs 4 lakh crore during 20 years.

According to the Ministry of Defence, apart from generating direct and indirect employment, the Tumakuru Helicopter Factory through its CSR activities will promote the development of the surrounding areas through large-scale community-centric programmes. The company will spend a substantial amount on this. Significantly, Tumakuru is about 70 kilometers away from Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka.