PM Modi unveils Asia’s largest helicopter factory in Karnataka

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi  unveiled Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility in Karnataka’s Tumakuru - also a new greenfield helicopter factory - on February 6.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and senior officials of the Ministry of Defence were present at the inauguration ceremony of the production facility.

The greenfield helicopter factory, spread across 615 acres, was planned with a vision to become a one-stop solution for all helicopter requirements of the country, according to the defence ministry.

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According to the Prime Minister’s Office, this helicopter factory  will initially produce Light Utility Helicopters (LUHs). LUH is an indigenously designed and developed 3-ton class, single-engine multipurpose utility helicopter with the unique feature of high maneuverability.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tonnes, with a total business of over Rs 4 lakh crore over a period of 20 years.

Initially, this factory will produce around 30 helicopters per year and this can be enhanced to 60 and then 90 per year in a phased manner, the ministry said. The first LUH has been flight tested and is ready for unveiling.

The proximity of the factory, with the existing HAL facilities in Bengaluru, will boost the aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in the region and support skill and infrastructure development such as schools, colleges and residential areas, according to the defence ministry.

With the establishment of facilities like heli-runway, flight hangar, final assembly hangar, structure assembly hangar, air traffic control and various supporting service facilities, the factory is fully operational.