Aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and India’s leading display-maker Samtel inked a pact on Monday to float a joint venture –- Samtel-HAL Display Systems Pvt Ltd -- for developing and manufacturing avionics display systems. HAL-Samtel would share the investment in the ratio of 40:60.

Announcing this at a joint press conference held here, in the presence of Secretary Defence Production Mr K.P. Singh, HAL Chairman Mr Ashok K. Baweja and Samtel Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Mr Satish Kaura termed the JV as a significant step towards developing indigenous next-generation Multi-Functional Displays (MUDs), Head Up Displays (HUDs) and Helmet-Mounted Targeting Systems (HMTDs). The JV gains significance as it is the first public-private partnership in the area of defence avionics.

“The Samtel-HAL JV will synergise the core competencies of the two organizations in becoming a globally-competitive business entity. One of my dreams realised. This coming together of HAL and Samtel has opened up many more exciting opportunities for the future,” said Mr Ashok. K. Baweja.

The JV will take-off with the manufacture of MFDs and HUDs required for HAL’s star programmes like the IJT, LCA and SU-30 MKI. It will later diversify into civil and industrial sector of Indian and international markets. 

     “It’s’ a very exciting opportunity and a great milestone for us. This will bring in a better man-machine interface and will be used in the cockpit of LCA, ALH and IJT, increasing the percentage of indigenous components. We are looking forward to become a major contributor not only for Indian market, but also expect to grab international share,” said Samtel CMD Mr Satish K. Kaura.

Chief guest of the event, Mr K.P. Singh said that the government is too happy to wed the strength of public and private sector in the area of defence. “It’s high time our private sector also takes advantage of the new government policy. We have established our mark and proved today that the SU-30MK1s are far better than the original SU-30s. We are going into major systems and the public-private partnerships will make India self-reliant, than depending upon others,” Mr Singh said. 

Avionic Display Systems

·        Multi Function Displays are AMLCD based displays, ruggedised to meet Avionics and Military standards. The latest trend in aircraft design incorporates several large MFDs in the cockpit design to provide the pilot with a large display to provide him with all the information he needs. These include radar information, visible and infra-red camera inputs, etc. These are so far been made only by a handful of manufacturers in the world, all located in USA or Western Europe.

·        Head Up Displays are CRT or LCD based displays that project information on a transparent screen in front of the pilot. This allows the pilot to read vital information while simultaneously looking through the windscreen. This sophisticated system involves high-end projection and combiner optics.