Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the helicopter factory of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Karnataka's Tumakuru and said the double-engine government has made the state the "first choice" of investors. Modi also launched a scathing attack on the opposition, accusing it of spreading misinformation about HAL and making false allegations against the government.
"Misinformation was spread about HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), and many false allegations were made against our government," the prime minister said, adding that the helicopter factory and its rising power will unveil those who levelled false allegations.
"This factory is the answer to the opposition charges. The truth is revealing itself today," Modi further said.
The prime minister claimed that the world is seeing the manufacturing power of Karnataka from drone manufacturing to Tejas fighter planes.
“The double-engine government has made Karnataka the first choice of investors. The inauguration of the helicopter factory is an example of how the double-engine government works," he said.
Modi had laid the foundation stone of the factory in 2016. Recalling the event, he said he had resolved to reduce India's dependency of security requirements on foreign countries.
"I got an opportunity of laying its foundation stone in 2016 with a resolution. The resolve was to make the dependency of our security requirements on foreign countries as less as possible. From modern assault rifles, aircraft carriers, to fighter jets are being manufactured by India," he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai were present on the occasion.
According to a defence ministry statement, the Greenfield Helicopter Factory, spread across 615 acres of land, is planned with a vision to become a one-stop solution for all helicopter requirements of the country. It is India’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility and will initially produce Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs).
The factory will be augmented to produce other helicopters such as Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) and Indian Multirole Helicopters (IMRHs). It will also be used for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul of LCH, LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and IMRH in the future. Potential exports of civil LUH will also be catered to from this factory.
The HAL plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonnes, with a total business of over Rs four lakh crores over a period of 20 years.
“The proximity of the factory, with the existing HAL facilities in Bengaluru, will boost the aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in the region and support skill and infrastructure development such as schools, colleges and residential areas. Medical and health care would also reach the community residing in the various nearby panchayats,” the defence ministry said.
