HAL plans to design new military copter

By agencies   |   Wednesday, 05 April 2006, 19:30 IST
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BANGALORE: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) said it had all set to design, develop and manufacture a new class of military helicopter with a foreign partner. It would be a 10-tonne-class multi-role helicopter and "the project would be undertaken in collaboration with a reputed foreign company," the defense aeronautics major said. The company is already working on the design of a light combat helicopter, the LCH. The multi-purpose ALH, the advanced light helicopter, has been flying again after a temporary grounding. HAL said ALH production and supplies had been resumed, mainly to its defense customers. It was working with Russian companies to design and develop a 15-20-tonne multi-role cargo transport aircraft meant for the forces of both the countries. This platform could be used for the proposed 100-seater passenger aircraft. Certification activities were being pursued for the Intermediate Jet Trainer and Light Combat Aircraft, with orders received for both types. HAL said it had for the first time cruised past the $1136.36 million turnover mark. It posted 32 percent growth with a gross profit of $227.72 million for the year 2005-06. Sales turnover for the year ended March 31, 2006, stood at $1221.59 million, recording 18.5 percent growth over the previous year. During the year, the defense PSU bagged contracts worth $4045.45 million. Exports shot up 23 percent to touch $42.04 million. It booked export orders worth $56.66 million.