HAL gets orders for 300 ALH Dhruv's - LCH prototype by 2007
Dated 11/8/2005
Printer Friendly
Subscribe
Mumbai, Aug. 11 (PTI): State-owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd today said the prototype for the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) will be completed by 2007.
"The research and development process for the LCH design is progressing and the prototype is expected to be ready by 2007," HAL Chairman Ashok K Baweja, told reporters here today.
Baweja said the company is bidding in several countries including South America and Europe for marketing Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) and LCH.
"We have received order for manufacturing 300 ALH aircraft which will be delivered in the next ten years," he said adding the "Defence sector including the Army, Navy and Air Force are continuing to be major customers of the company."
Baweja said Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) has placed an order for three Dhruv helicopters in civic role for Rs 111 crores including maintenance and pilot services. HAL today handed over the first Dhruv aircraft to ONGC and would commission the remaining by the end of this fiscal, he said.
He said the company has stepped up the production capacity to 30 aircraft per year against 18 aircraft last year.