'Phase II of HAL unit soon'

Union Defence Minister A K Antony announced that the second phase of the Strategic Electronic Factory by Hindustan Electronics Limited (HAL) will begin within months.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Strategic Electronics Factory at Seethangoli in Kasargod district on Saturday. Stating that the new factory will largely contribute to the Indian defence force, he said with the functioning of the second phase, avionics will be produced and assembled for the Indian premier war flights like Sukhoi 30 and Jaguar.

“The ministry will think about developing the third phase too, once the second phase starts functioning. The factory at Kasargod will be developed into an aerospace, as a prominent unit of HAL and I hope this would be the best Strategic Electronic Factory of HAL in India,” said the Minister.

He termed Kasargod as the best place in Kerala to take up the developmental work and said that many central government funded organisations would come up in Kasargod in the days to come, as the land availability is more in the district.

Commenting on the Brahmos issue, he said an issue of such gravity would affect the functioning of other defence institutions as well. “I was hurt by the entire episode and I hope such incidents do not repeat. Such incidents would deprive the Kerala state from receiving several Central government projects,” he said. Referring to his remarks on the UDA government during the inauguration of Brahmos unit at Tiruvanantapuram recently, he said his statement was for the good.

“I would not blend politics with development. Too much of politics in everyday life in Kerala has prevented the State from attaining industrial growth,” Antony said.
Defence Secretary (Production) R K Mathur who was present at the event said that the future expansion plans of the factory will be based on the need of the Indian Air Force.

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the production facilities. Kerala Minister for Industries and IT P K Kunhalikutty, former minister for Industries Elamaram Kareem, MP Karunakaran and others were present.

Rs 66 cr for Phase I

The HAL’s Strategic Electronics Factory inaugurated at Seethangoli’s KINFRA Industrial Park will produce advanced avionics for aircraft and helicopters. The state-of the-art factory has been set up considering the huge potential for avionics in the coming years.

The foundation stone for the factory was laid down by Defence Minister A K Antony on August 23, 2008. The Kerala government has allotted 196 acres for setting up the factory and the first phase of the factory has been developed at a cost of Rs 66 crore.

Seven buildings are dedicated for various activities including production, administration, technical services, materials management, security, medical canteen and for government agencies.

At present, the production of Airborne Special Purpose Computers like Mission computer, Display Processor, Radar Computers, Open Architect Mission computer for SU-30, LCA, MiG-27 upgrade have been taken up at this factory.