India’s largest chopper manufacturing unit in Karnataka

PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the largest helicopter manufacturing unit in Tumakuru, Karnataka in 2016. The unit is now ready to start its operation. The unit will produce more than a thousand helicopters and make India self-reliant on helicopters. Recently 15 LCH (Light combat Helicopters) were provided to the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. But the requirement is 160.

About the New Manufacturing Unit

• The unit will be administrated by HAL. It is spread across 615 acres. The unit built in Tumakuru of Karnataka will manufacture a thousand helicopters in 20 years. The helicopters will weigh around three to fifteen tonnes.
• The facility is to increase direct and indirect employment in the area. Also, it will contribute to the Corporate Social Responsibilities in the area.
• The main objective is to make the facility a one-stop solution for all the helicopter requirements of India.

What is the plan?

The Indian Army and the Indian Air Force will together place an order for 187 light helicopters. The cheetah and Chetak helicopters of the Indian military are ageing. These helicopters are to be replaced by Light Utility Helicopters.

Initially, the facility will produce LCH and LUH. In later stages, it will produce Indian Multirole Helicopters. Every year, the unit will manufacture 30 helicopters in the initial stages. Later, the numbers will be increased to 60 per year and then 90 per year.

Need for the facility

The current HAL complex functioning in Bengaluru is overloaded. The requirement for helicopters in Indian Army, Indian Navy, Air Force and paramilitary forces is huge. For these reasons, the new facility is launched.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2023

Category: Defence Current Affairs