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HAL's Nashik unit likely to produce 5G Sukhoi

Additional hangars planned in Bangalore for LCA production
Last Updated 04 January 2011, 18:02 IST
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While it has been a notable year for the defence PSU with Tejas scheduled for its initial operation clearance, production of FGFA is doing the rounds, as top priority.

According to a highly placed source in HAL, several discussions were being held about selecting the production unit for FGFA, with the PSU’s two units in Bangalore and Nashik contending for it.

“The discussions reached a decisive stage after the initial design order for FGFA was signed with the Russian companies,” said the source, adding that the Nashik unit was most likely to make the FGFA aircraft.

HAL, which has negotiated to get a 25 per cent share of design and development work in the FGFA programme, will get the licence to produce the Indian version in the coming years.

On the design front, HAL’s work will comprise modifying Sukhoi’s single-seat prototype into the twin-seat fighter that the Indian Air Force (IAF) requires creating critical software, including for the mission computer; navigation systems and the counter measure dispensing (CMD) systems. The Indian firm will also be contributing largely to composites, cockpits and avionics.

The joint development project between India and Russia will see the Indian Air Force inducting about 300 aircraft in the coming two decades. Moreover, once the HAL gets the licence from its Russian counterparts to manufacture the aircraft, the production will be undertaken in Nashik.

Sources in HAL argued that it was ideal to produce FGFA at Nashik unit, as it is already working on many of the licenced Russian aircraft. However, the PSU was earlier contemplating on manufacturing the aircraft at Bangalore unit.

HAWK manufacturing

The Bangalore unit does the overhauling for Jaguar, the production of which is discontinued. The unit, which now makes HAWK, will also manufacture India’s light combat aircraft (LCA).

Claiming that preparation  for producing FGFA was in the right direction, HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak said “We are looking at expansion in Bangalore, in order to accommodate the production of Tejas.”

Sources said that HAL will get additional hangars for the production of LCA. They said that currently there was one hangar for the structural assembly and use, while another half hangar for equipping and direction.

Structural assembly involves putting the aircraft together. In the half hangar fuel pipelines and other things are inserted. The IAF recently said the first squadron of LCA will be raised by the end of this year.

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(Published 04 January 2011, 16:48 IST)

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