Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) came into existence on 1st October 1964.  The Company was formed by the merger of Hindustan Aircraft Limited with Aeronautics India Limited and Aircraft Manufacturing Depot, Kanpur.

The Company traces its roots to the pioneering efforts of an industrialist with extraordinary vision, the late Seth Walchand Hirachand, who set up Hindustan Aircraft Limited at Bangalore in association with the erstwhile princely State of Mysore in December 1940. The Government of India became a shareholder in March 1941 and took over the Management in 1942.

Today, HAL has 19 Production Units and 9 Research and Design Centres in 7 locations in India. The Company has an impressive product track record - 12 types of aircraft manufactured with in-house R & D and 14 types produced under license. HAL has manufactured  over 3550 aircraft , 3600 engines and overhauled over 8150 aircraft and 27300 engines.

HAL has been successful in numerous R & D programs developed for both Defence and Civil Aviation sectors. HAL has made substantial progress in its current projects :

• Dhruv, which is Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)

• Tejas - Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)

• Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT)

• Various military and civil upgrades.

Dhruv was delivered to the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard in March 2002, in the very first year of its production, a unique achievement.

HAL has played a significant role for India's space programs by participating in the manufacture of structures for Satellite Launch Vehicles like

• PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle)

• GSLV (Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle)

• IRS (Indian Remote Satellite)

• INSAT (Indian National Satellite)

HAL has formed the following Joint Ventures (JVs) :

• BAeHAL Software Limited

• Indo-Russian Aviation Limited (IRAL)

• Snecma HAL Aerospace Pvt Ltd

• SAMTEL HAL Display System Limited

• HALBIT Avionics Pvt Ltd

• HAL-Edgewood Technologies Pvt Ltd

• INFOTECH HAL Ltd

 Apart from these seven, other major diversification projects are Industrial Marine Gas Turbine and Airport Services. Several Co-production and Joint Ventures with international participation are under consideration.

HAL's supplies / services are mainly to Indian Defence Services, Coast Guards and Border Security Forces. Transport Aircraft and Helicopters have also been supplied to Airlines as well as State Governments of India. The Company has also achieved a foothold in export in more than 30 countries, having demonstrated its quality and price competitiveness.

HAL has won several International & National Awards for achievements in R&D, Technology, Managerial Performance, Exports, Energy Conservation, Quality and Fulfillment of Social Responsibilities.

•  HAL was awarded the “INTERNATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARD” for Corporate Achievement in Quality and Efficiency at the  International Summit (Global Rating Leaders 2003), London, UK by M/s Global Rating, UK in conjunction with the International Information and Marketing Centre (IIMC).
   

• HAL was presented the International - “ ARCH OF EUROPE ” Award in Gold Category in recognition for its commitment to Quality, Leadership, Technology and Innovation.
   

•  At the National level, HAL won the "GOLD TROPHY" for excellence in Public Sector Management,  instituted by the Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE).

The Company scaled new heights in the financial year 2006-07 with a turnover of Rs.7,783.61 Crores