HAL, EADS set to explore new horizons

      Aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and global leader in aerospace and defence, EADS inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further develop long-term cooperation and define joint strategies on different market segments. The MoU was signed on Friday, September 1, 2006, by HAL Chairman Mr Ashok K. Baweja and EADS CEO Dr Tom Enders.

     With this MoU, the two groups will expand their cooperation into new market segments. A joint analysis of mid-term and long-term strategies on the key segments of aerospace business will be conducted in the coming months to determine how both groups could team up and benefit from each other’s expertise to develop their activities.     “HAL and EADS are already long-term partners, working together to manufacture helicopters and passenger jets,” said Dr Tom Enders, CEO of EADS. “We appreciate the excellent level of skills in design and manufacturing, which make HAL a valuable partner for global cooperation in aerospace and defence. During my visit to HAL facilities in Bangalore, I was impressed by the quality of the production and technological capabilities,” he added.

     “HAL is rapidly developing into a major player in the aerospace sector. Nevertheless, HAL could benefit from teaming with a global player like EADS to accelerate its development and gain access to export market through joint marketing agreements. This memorandum will define the products for which HAL and EADS will join their efforts,” said Mr A.K. Saxena, Managing Director, HAL Bangalore Complex.

  Lasting bond

     Eurocopter, the helicopter manufacturer owned by EADS, has been cooperating with HAL for over four decades. The most recent fruit of this long-term relationship is Eurocopter’s decision to subcontract airframe production for all Ecureuil type versions to HAL. The first Ecureuil airframe will be delivered to Eurocopter before the end of this year.

     India was the first nation with which Eurocopter signed a licence agreement for technology transfer. The Fennec, the military version of the Ecureuil series, is one of the two helicopters short-listed by the Ministry of Defence for replacing the current Cheetah/Chetak fleet of the Indian Army in the near future. In the past, Eurocopter was associated with HAL in the development of the Advanced Light Helicopter christened Dhruv, for which Eurocopter initially supplied rotor blades.

     Eurocopter is willing to team with HAL for the development of 10T helicopter, which HAL plans to co-develop with a foreign partner to meet the requirements of Indian Armed Forces and also to satisfy requirements of global customers.

     Passenger jet manufacturer Airbus, in which EADS owns 80%, and HAL have been cooperating for more than 15 years. In 1988, HAL was chosen to build passenger doors for the A320. HAL has a contract to provide 600 aircraft sets of the doors, and has delivered over 300 till date. A new batch of A320 doors has been ordered recently. HAL has also produced parts for the A320 nose undercarriage. The production of A340 emergency doors is due to start in the near future.

 About HAL

     HAL is the largest aeronautical company in South and South East Asia, engaged in design, development, manufacture and maintenance of fighters, transport aircraft, trainers and helicopters apart from their engines, accessories and avionics.  The company’s star product, Advanced Light Helicopter (Dhruv), has been hitting headlines with its stellar performances at air shows, impressing customers. Other programmes including the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) are cruising ahead in full steam while the licence manufacturing projects of SU-30 MK-I and Hawk AJT are also on the right flight path.  

About EADS

     EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of €34.2 billion and employed a workforce of about 1,13,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium and is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher.