Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, the Bangalore-based defense undertaking, has successfully test flown the upgraded version of the Indian Air Force's MiG-21 Bis at Nashik on Friday.
Announcing this in Bangalore, chairman-designate N R Mohanty declared that HAL would be upgrading all the 123 MiG-21 strike aircraft of the IAF during the next 4-5 years in batches.
"We have already test flown the first two such aircraft that were upgraded by the MiG Design Bureau in Russia early this year. Within 8 months of getting these two versions, we have upgraded the third one in record time, equipping it with the latest avionics and components," Mohanty disclosed.
Mohanty, who takes over charge from outgoing CMD K C Krishnadas Nair on Saturday, also declared that the company would be signing the contract for the co-production of Sukhoi-M30 MKI class fighter aircraft with the Moscow-based Sukhoi Design Bureau in September.
"We have already entered into a license agreement to roll out the Su-30MKI aircraft from our Nashik factory from 2004. The IAF has placed an order for about 140 aircraft. We will be getting the designs and drawings by the year-end and all the five divisions of HAL will be involved in the project," Mohanty stated.
Both the officials discounted media reports that the IAF had procured inferior or spurious spare parts from some East European countries for its MiG-21 fleet, and which have been attributed to be the cause behind its frequent crashes in the recent times.
"Firstly, we don't know whether reports attributed to an higher official of the MiG Corporation in Moscow are authentic. There is an elaborate procedure to procure the spare parts, which have to be followed in strict accordance by the IAF as well as the HAL. There is no scope for such out-low-quality outsourcing," Nair clarified.
While not holding any brief to IAF for the several crashes of MiG aircraft, Nair, at the same time, called for intensive training of the younger pilots, preferably in simulators for long hours before letting them fly aircraft.
"The MiG-21's are quite old though in fighting condition. They lack modern avionics."
The outgoing chairman also regretted that HAL could not take up production of the 50-70-seater passenger aircraft for want of firm orders from its prospective customer, Indian Airlines.
"A project proposal was submitted to IA by HAL and ATR, a French consortium, for joint production of civilian aircraft at our Kanpur division but the national carrier's divestment plans stalled the proposal," Nair lamented.
However, HAL is going ahead with another project to jointly produce a multi-role transport aircraft of 100-seater capacity with Ilyushin Aviation Complex and Irkutsk Aviation Production Organization of Russia for the global market, with the first batch aimed at the India and Russian markets.
"HAL has already entered into an agreement with Russian companies for the co-production of the Combi aircraft to meet the requirements of defense industry and civilian airlines, including private airlines. A detailed project report is under preparation by both the sides for submission to the respective governments for approval," Mohanty said.
The Rs 25-billion HAL is also gearing up to roll out the Intermediate Jet Trainer aircraft for the IAF, which would be replacing the age-old Kiran trainer jets. It is also exploring the possibility of exporting the IJT jets in partnership with foreign companies.
Though HAL went ahead with the project without the consent of its main or only customer, the IAF, its record feat in designing and developing the aircraft has convinced the latter to place an order for some.
"The IJT will be test flown in 2002, a year ahead of schedule, and deliveries are slated from 2004 onwards. This is one of the projects with the least time-frame from conception to certification," Mohanty and Nair claimed.