It has been said that no country can win battles by being dependent on other countries and being buyer of defence equipment — Arun Jaitley
As India is facing a standoff with China at Dokalam, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley called for manufacturing of desi defence equipment to face any threats from outside.
In his address at Hindustan Aeronautics in Bengaluru on Saturday he said “In the present geopolitical situation, India has been located sensitively. We've had multiple threats in the past. Therefore, preparedness is something India can never compromise on”.
Defence Minister visited HAl, BEl and BEMl , the three defence PSUs in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Giving an edge to Indian defence forces, Hindustan Aeronautics limited (HAl) designed light Combat Helicopter (lCH) is ready and begins its production. As Indian defence forces need more copters the production of desi lCH under make in India programme adds teeth to the forces. Defence Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated the production facility at HAl and also dedicated HAl's role changer design upgrade program of Hawk-i to the nation.
The Defence Acquisitions Council has given its approval for the procurement of 15 lCH. These will be used by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army. HAl designed 5.8 ton category light Combat Helicopter was designed by HAl's Rotary Wing R&D Centre and Mission & Combat System R&D Centre (MCSRDC) designed the Hawk-I in association with the Aircraft Division.
The basic version of lCH has been cleared by CEMIlAC. The DAC has accorded approval for procurement of 15 lCH from HAl under IDDM category.
“Traditionally even though we had young DPSUs and ordinance factory, we've been heavily dependent on the rest of the world for buying, both in terms of equipment and technology. This has been ironic because Indians have taken to technology. R&D centres have been shifting to India. Our ability to throw out people efficient in technology is second to none. Therefore it was necessary for us to come out of this mindset that India is a buyer of defence equipment to manufacturer and seller of defence equipment” Jaitley said.
He said “ Two launches, the lCH and Hawk i. With this kind of competitive environment our DPSUs are coming to the fore. We need to put our entirely behind the defence forces. The nature of this business is such that there are very few suppliers and only one buyer, the government”.
“We've made important changes in DPP A where some platforms are being thrown open to the private sector, from whom our government can buy. Considering the size of our requirement I'm glad so many have shown interest.
It is important that DPSUs, entrepreneurs coupled with the size of our market so that India becomes a supplier to other countries, from being a net buyer” he added.
HAl designed the twin engine light Combat Helicopter (lCH) of 5.8 Ton class featuring narrow fuselage and tandem configuration for pilot and co-pilot/ weapon system operator. The helicopter has indigenous state of the art technologies like integrated dynamic system, bearing less Tail Rotor, anti-resonance vibration isolation system, crash worthy landing gear, smart glass cockpit, hinge less main rotor, Armour Protection and stealth features from visual, aural, radar and IR signatures. The helicopter is equipped with 20mm Turret gun, 70 mm Rocket, Air to Air Missile, EO-Pod and Helmet pointing system. The helicopter can carry out operational roles under extreme weather conditions at different altitudes from sea level, hot weather desert, cold weather and Himalayan altitudes. The lCH has demonstrated capability to land and take off from Siachen Range with considerable load, fuel and weapons that are beyond any other combat helicopter.
HAl produced its 100th Hawk jet trainer aircraft with designation as Hawk-i; (Hawk-India). HAl took up the indigenous role change development program to convert the jet trainer into a Combat-Ready platform.
T. Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAl said the light Combat Helicopter and Hawk-i would provide the country extra potential to have additional combat resource and the programs are truly 'Make in India', capable of generating employment opportunities in the country including MSME & Service sectors. These programs ensure public-private industry participation. There will be a significant spin-off in the form of development of an eco-system for manufacture and in meeting the objectives of “Skill India” initiative in Aerospace and Defence in the country.