HAL to develop ten-tonne version of ALH

Bangalore, Oct 30 (UNI) After the successful design, development and manufacture of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) 'Dhruv', the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is all set to develop its ten-tonne version, HAL Chairman Ashok K Baweja said today.

Talking to newspersons after attending a conference on 'Helicopter Technology', organised by the Society of Indian Aerospace Technology and Industries (SIATI) here, he said the first prototype of the ten-tonne version was expected to be ready by August next year.

Mr Baweja said HAL, which had successfully developed the three-tonne version 'Cheetah' and six-tonne version 'Dhruv', was now focusing on developing the ten-tonne military version. ''There is no fund problem for the proposed ten-tonne version project,'' he added.

He said HAL, working on the prototype of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) for the Indian Air Force's use in an anti-infantry and anti-armour role, was expected to roll it out in the next five to six years. The process of shortlisting foreign partners for the project was under process. ''HAL is also in the process of firming up specifications for the proposed LCH,'' he added.

UNI