Aerospace

Industry
In India
(Source: Aero India; undated)

Indian industry today is on the threshold of entering into a new era where it will assume
greater responsibility in making the nation self-reliant in Defence Production. The resurgence
of Indias manufacturing sector has been remarkable. Not only are the profits soaring, the
sector is also making its presence felt abroad as many Indian firms are becoming
transnational companies.
The Indian manufacturing sector is internationally competitive with international quality
standards, efficiency and manufacturing facilities. India is fast developing into a
manufacturing hub for world corporations wanting to leverage the sectors proven skills in
product design, reconfiguration and customization with creativity, assured quality and value
addition.
India, also keen to strengthen its own aerospace industry and has asked major weapon
exporting countries to transfer technology to India.
Indian Aerospace Industry
The Indian Aerospace Industry is witnessing an unprecedented growth. Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is fully owned by the Government of India, is the premier
aerospace company in the country. HAL has played a major role in the Defence aviation of
India through design, manufacture and overhaul of fighters, trainers, helicopters, transport
aircraft, engines, avionics and system equipment. HAL is now ranked 34th in the list of
worlds top 100 defence companies.
HAL is a major partner for the Space programmes of Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO) and manufactures structures and assemblies for the launch vehicles and satellites at
its dedicated Aerospace Division in Bangalore.
The civil aviation sector in India is growing rapidly. It has recorded annual growth of over
41% in passenger traffic during in the last two years. In fact, it has contributed significantly
to the growth of international civil aviation sector. The rapid growth of civil aviation has put
extreme pressure on the existing civil aviation infrastructure. As a result, the thrust is now on
modernization of airports, communications, navigation and surveillance systems for air
traffic management, radars and facilities for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul of aircraft and
sub systems.
There is thus enormous potential and huge opportunities for collaboration and creation of
joint ventures in the aerospace sector in India for establishing Maintenance Repair Overhaul

(MRO) facilities for civil and military aircraft, overhaul and maintenance of aero engines and
production of avionics, components and accessories both in the civil and military aviation
sectors. Major global aviation industry are already eyeing the local market in India and
scouting for outsourcing aerospace and defence products as India is fast emerging as a center
for engineering and design services.
1. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (Hal)
HAL, a Defence PSU, is a major player in the global aviation arena. It has built up
comprehensive skills in design, manufacture and overhaul of fighters, trainers, helicopters,
transport aircraft, engines, avionics and system equipment. Its product track record consists
of 12 types of aircraft from in-house R&D and 14 types by licence production inclusive of 8
types of aero engines and over 1000 items of aircraft system equipment (avionics,
mechanical, electrical).
HAL has produced over 3550 aircraft, 3650 aero-engines and overhauled around 8750
aircraft & 28400 engines besides manufacture/overhaul of related accessories and avionics.
The Company has the requisite core competence base with a demonstrated potential to
become a global player.
HAL has 19 production divisions for manufacture and overhaul of aircraft, helicopters,
engine and accessories. It has also 9 R&D Centres to give a thrust to research &
development.
HALs major supplies/services are to Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Indian Army, Coast
Guard and Border Security Force. Transport aircraft and Helicopters have been supplied to
Airlines as well as State Governments. The Company has also achieved a foothold in export
in more than 20 countries, having demonstrated its quality and price competitiveness. HAL is
a major partner for the Space Vehicle programmes of the Indian Space Research
Organisation. It has also diversified into the fields of industrial & marine gas turbine business
and real-time software business.
HAL is now ranked 34th in the list of worlds top 100 defence companies. HAL continues its
growth with a sales turnover of 2.1 Billion US Dollars during the financial year 2007-08. It
has doubled its turnover in 3 years. It has declared profit before tax of 538 Million US
Dollars. The company has made supplies to almost all the major aerospace companies in the
World like Airbus, Boeing, IAI, IRKUT, Honeywell and Ruag etc.
All the production Divisions of HAL have ISO 9001-2000 accreditation and sixteen divisions
have ISO-14001-2004 environment management system (EMS) certification. Six divisions
have also implemented the aerospace sector quality management system requirements stated
in As 9100 standard and obtained certification. Four of these divisions have also obtained
NADCAP certification (National Aerospace Defence Contractors Accreditation programme
USA) for special processes such as NDT, heat treatment, welding etc.
In order to meet with the challenges in the 21st Century, the Company has redefined its
mission as follows:

To become a globally competitive aerospace industry while working as an instrument for

achieving self-reliance in design, manufacture and maintenance of aerospace equipment,
Civil Transport Aircraft, helicopter & missiles and diversifying to related areas, managing the
business on commercial lines in a climate of growing professional competence.
HAL has successfully designed & developed the Advanced Light Helicopter, which is
currently being operated by the Defence Services of India and private Companies. The
Advanced Light Helicopter also has great export potential. Apart from licence production of
front line fighters like Su-30 MKI, HAL is also developing the following products through
design and development:
-- Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT)
-- Light combat helicopter (LCH)
-- Weaponization of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)
-- Tejas-Light Combat Aircraft
2. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Government of India established the Department of Space in 1972 to promote development
and application of space science and technology in the country for the socio-economic
benefits. Indian Space Research organization (ISRO) is the primary agency under the
Department of Space for executing space programmes. During the early seventies, India
undertook demonstration of space applications for communication, television broadcasting
and remote sensing building experimental satellites namely, APPLE, Bhaskara and
experimental satellite launch vehicles, SLV-3 and ASLV.
Today, India has an impressive array of achievements with the largest constellation of
domestic communication satellites called Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) in the
Asia pacific region with about 210 transponders in orbit. And, India has plans to augment the
capacity with the launching of INSAT satellites and increase it to about 500 in 4-5 years to
meet its growing needs.
India also has the largest constellation of earth observation satellites called Indian Remote
Sensing (IRS) satellites with better than one meter resolution. IRS data is being used for a
variety of applications such as crop yield estimation, drinking water missions, waste land
development, forest cover mapping and a host of other applications benefiting the common
man. Using INSATs, besides TV Broadcasting, telecommunications and meteorological
applications societal applications such as tele-education, telemedicine applications have been
operationalised. Village Resource Centers (VRCs) combining the services of IRS and INSAT
satellites for providing an array of services have been established. India, today is considered
as a leader in the application of space technology. INSAT and IRS satellites are also
providing invaluable services in disaster management.
To put the IRS and INSAT satellites into orbit, India has developed two work horse launch
vehicles namely the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geo-synchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV). PSLV weighing about 300 tons at lift off has the capability to put
1500 kg satellite in polar sun-synchronous orbit. PSLV with eleven consecutively successful

launches has demonstrated its high reliability. PSLV has launched eight satellites for various
customers from abroad. GSLV with four successful flights is capable of launching 2200 kg
satellites into geo-stationary Transfer Orbit. India has also created world class facilities at its
space port in Sriharikota near Chennai with launch pads besides a host of test facilities for
testing satellites and launch vehicle systems.
3. Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO)
DRDO is a network of 52 Defence Laboratories in India which are deeply engaged in
developing critical defence technologies covering various disciplines like aeronautics,
armaments, electronics, combat vehicles, engineering system, instrumentation, missiles,
advanced computing and simulation, special materials, naval systems, life sciences,
information systems and agriculture.
Presently over 5000 scientists and about 25000 other scientific technical and supporting
personnel back the organization. Several major projects for the development of missiles,
armaments, light combat aircrafts, radars, electronic warfare systems etc are on hand and
significant achievements have already been made in several such technologies.
4. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
BEL was established in 1954 to meet the specialized electronic needs of the countrys
defence services, is a multi-product, multi-technology, multi-unit company. It serves the
needs of domestic and foreign customers with the products/services manufactured in its nine
state-of-the-art ISO 9001/2 and ISO 14000 certified manufacturing plants in India.
BEL manufactures a wide repertoire of products in the field of Radars, Naval systems,
Defence Communication, Telecommunication and Broadcasting, Electronic Warfare, Opto
Electronics, Tank Electronics and Electronic Components. With the expertise developed over
the years, the company also provides turnkey systems solutions and Electronic
Manufacturing Services (EMS) on Build to Print and Build to Spec basis. BEL has
become a US $ 1 Billion company in the financial year 2007-08.
5. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
BDL is fully owned by the Government of India, was established in 1970. BDL manufactures
guided weapons & related test equipment, Launchers, under water weapon systems and
decoys for the Indian Defence Services. BDL is the nominated Production Agency for the
indigenous Integrated Missile Development Programme.
Starting with production of 1st Generation Anti tank Guided missiles, the Company has
grown into a multi technology and multi product organization. Collaborative association with
DRDO and world leaders in missile manufacturing has enabled BDL assimilate critical
technologies and emerge as a globally competitive and reliable defence equipment
manufacturer.
6. Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML Limited)
BEML Limited, Government of India Company, is one of the largest manufacturers and
suppliers of earthmoving, construction and mining equipment in Asia. With over 42 years of

experience, BEML is one of the premier engineering companies in India and plays a
significant role in providing vital inputs to the core sectors of the economy, apart from
manufacturing a wide range of tailor-made equipment for the Indian Defence sector.
BEML manufactures a wide range of sophisticated hi-tech equipment like bulldozers, rear
dump truck, front-end loaders, hydraulic excavators, rope shovels, motor graders, walking
draglines, pipe layers, tyre handling equipment, aircraft towing tractor, heavy duty
transportation trailers, heavy duty trucks and its prime movers, rail coaches including day
coaches, sleeper coaches, postal vans, track-laying equipment, overhead Inspection cars,
diesel engines and gensets.
7. Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)
The Indian Ordnance Factories possess the unique distinction of more than 200 years of
experience in Defence production. Under the aegis of its corporate headquarters the
Ordnance Factory Board, the organization is currently engaged in production, logistics,
research & development and trade in the field of defence.
Ordnance Factory Board offers comprehensive range in the areas of land, naval and air
defence systems. These include small, medium and large caliber weapons & ammunition,
mortars, explosives, pyrotechnics, armoured & soft skin vehicles, optical & night vision
devices, parachutes and troop comfort items.
8. Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI)
MIDHANI an ISO 9002 company - caters to domestic and international customers with
modern metallurgical facilities and high degree of technical competence for manufacturing
its diverse product mix of superalloys, titanium alloys, special purpose steels, electrical
resistance & softmagnetic alloys, molybedenum and other alloys meeting the stringent
requirements of the strategic sectors like defence, aerospace, power and general engineering
etc.
MIDHANI employs its highly integrated and flexible manufacturing facilities to produce a
wide variety of special metals and alloys in various mill forms such as ingots, forged bars,
hot rolled steels and bar, cold rolled sheets, strips and foils, wires, castings and tubes.
9. BrahMos Aerospace
BRAHMOS-supersonic cruise missile is designed for use in multiple platforms- ships, silos,
mobile launchers, aircrafts and submarines against land and sea targets. BRAHMOS is the
World leader flying all through supersonic with maneuverable trajectories ensuring no
reaction time to the enemy and a lethal punch owing to huge kinetic energy of impact.
BRAHMOS has attained 100% success rates in all flight trials proving the adequacy of the
missile system to a maximum range of 290 km with high accuracy and lethality establishing
the reliability of the system in all weather conditions. Indian Navy & army have started the
induction of the weapon system. The system will also be exported to a few friendly countries.

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