Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is expecting to execute an order book of Rs 2.2 lakh crore by 2030. Currently, HAL has an order book of Rs 1.2 lakh crore and it hopes to add another Rs 1 lakh crore in the next one year, said HAL chairman D.K. Sunil during a briefing on the sidelines of the Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru.
The orders that the company anticipates include the one for 83 light combat aircraft (LCA). Besides, the company is also manufacturing 240 engines for Sukhoi.
Until 2030, the order book of the company is full of manufacturing orders, including LUH (light utility helicopter).
HAL also has global aspirations and is aiming to expand with a continued focus on Southeast Asia, North Africa, and South America. “We have had a breakthrough in South America and headway in Guyana, where we have supplied two Dornier aircraft. Our discussions are ongoing in North Africa which are still at a preliminary stage, with ongoing talks in Nigeria, Morocco, and Egypt. Their pilots have already flown our various aircraft and helicopters. Similarly, in Southeast Asia, we are looking at opportunities for the Dornier aircraft,” said Sunil.
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On the recent accident involving the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv of the Indian Coast Guard in Gujarat, Sunil said this is something that can happen anywhere in the world and added that HAL is fully committed to addressing any technical issues which led to the incident.
“The unfortunate incident will be thoroughly investigated. We will identify the problems and fix them. We are confident in our technical capabilities and will be able to resolve the issue effectively. Our Make in India initiative will continue,” said Sunil.
He said the final report by the Defect Investigation Team to ascertain the exact cause of the crash of the ALH Dhruv is expected within three weeks, after which a decision on resuming operations will be taken.
The HAL had grounded the ALH Dhruv fleet after a tragic crash on January 5 at Gujarat's Porbandar Airport, which claimed the lives of three members of the Indian Coast Guard. Consequently, the helicopter is also absent from the ongoing Aero India 2025.
As per Sunil, the preliminary investigation indicated that the crash was caused by a fracture in the swash plate of the helicopter. “The Defect Investigation Team is conducting a thorough probe to ascertain the exact cause. The final report is expected within three weeks, after which a decision on resuming operations will be taken,” added Sunil.
Since its induction more than two decades back ALH Dhruv—currently operated by all branches of the Indian military and serves as a cost-effective alternative to Western multi-utility helicopters—has been involved in 28 crashes. Of these, around 13 crashes were attributed to technical failures, another third to human error, and the remainder to unknown causes.
