ALH programme not to be affected: HAL

Bangalore, Feb 5 (UNI) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) today asserted that the February two crash of a Dhruv (Advanced Light Helicopter) of the Sarang aerobatic team of IAF at the Yelahanka Air Base here would not hinder the production plan of the chopper.

Talking to newspersons on the sidelines of an international seminar on Aerospace Technologies here, HAL Chairman Ashok K Baweja said Dhruv was built on a''good solid design.'' Referring to the ALH mishap in which the co-pilot was killed and pilot seriously injured, he said. ''It is extremely unfortunate, but the programme should go on.'' Three days after the mishap, three helicopters of the Sarang team today resumed their aerobatic display practice in full swing.

Besides, another ALH of the Indian Army also flew to demonstrate rescue operations.

On the Indo-Russian joint venture on Multirole Transport Aircraft and development of fifth generation multirole combat aircraft, Mr Baweja said the next major milestone in the programme would be announced soon.

To a question, he said the fifth generation fighter development would be on the Sukhoi base in which the Russians had commenced work. Asked about the early advantage of Russia, he said the realisation of a new generation fighter aircraft was a long drawn process and India would have its share of development in the new generation fighter aircraft.

Replying to another question, Mr Baweja said Bangalore was very much in the limelight for setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in joint venture with Airbus and other partners. Besides Bangalore, Nagpur was also in the race for the MRO facility.

Asked whether HAL planned to reorganise in view of various projects it would be undertaking, he said HAL was a well structured company with eight different production units and four major business groups. It had expanded its capacity in Nasik and Koraput for taking up production of Sukhoi MKI 30 with an investment of 700 million Dollars.

UNI