Aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has concluded deals with two Israeli firms to make flight simulators and airframes for transport planes, and is in talks with Boeing for a long-term programme for supplying aircraft components.
State-run HAL bagged a 'very big order' for airframe structures from Israel Aircraft Industries and signed an agreement with Elbit, another Israeli defence firm, to make aircraft and helicopter simulators, said HAL's General Manager (marketing) Air Commodore B Banerjee.
He did not give details of the deals that were finalised during the Farnborough Air Show in United Kingdom, but experts said they are expected to run into millions of dollars.
"We have got a very big order from IAI for supplying some airframe structures for transport aircraft, which they will manufacture," Banerjee told PTI in Farnborough.
"We have also signed a joint venture agreement with Elbit to make aircraft and helicopter simulators in Bangalore," he added.
HAL chief Ashok K Baweja has held talks with top Boeing officials attending the air show on a major programme for outsourcing aircraft components. Banerjee said a roadmap for this is being finalised. Bangalore-based HAL, which was recently ranked 45th among the world's top 100 defence firms by Defense News magazine, clocked up sales of Rs 5,335 crore during the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2006.
"Boeing wants to source (components) in a very major way on a long-term basis for their present and future programmes. A roadmap of various processes is being finalised," Banerjee said.
"They are planning on structural work packages in a major way," he said, adding that teams of Boeing officials will soon visit India in this regard.
HAL currently manufactures doors for passenger aircraft made by both Boeing and Airbus. It has also bagged an order from Boeing for kits to convert its 737 passenger planes into freighter aircraft. Banerjee said HAL had received an 'overwhelming' response from customers and potential collaborators at the Farnborough Air Show.
For the first time, HAL showcased its indigenously developed Dhruv advanced light helicopter and Intermediate Jet Trainer at the prestigious air show.
© 2025