Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff has said that Indian Air Force, Department of Defence Production, MoD and HAL are working together as one entity towards meeting the defence preparedness of the country. He visited HAL’s Nasik facility along with G.C. Pati, Secretary (Defence Production). Dr R.K. Tyagi, Chairman HAL and S. Subrahmanyan, Managing Director (MiG Complex).

HAL officials made a presentation, highlighting special and new technologies in Su-30MKI manufacturing programme, level of technology absorption, contribution of private vendors, status on establishment of facilities for Su-30 ROH and the road map for indigenisation. The focus was also on actions taken and support being provided to IAF by HAL for enhancing the serviceability of Su-30MKI fleet.

The Chief of the Air Staff also inaugurated the warehouse for storing aggregates and spares of Su-30MKI aircraft and handed it over to Airforce Liaison Establishment, Nasik. The warehouse is built by HAL, Nasik with all the modern facilities required for storing all types of aggregates and spares.

The Air Chief visited the indigenisation cell, state of the art manufacturing facilities for 4.5 generation aircraft, newly established repair and overhaul facilities, final assembly of Su-30MKI aircraft and flight testing hangar. The extent of technology absorption, indigenisation and the confidence level to take up ROH of Su-30MKI aircraft by HAL was appreciated by Chief of the Air Staff.

Presently HAL is manufacturing the aircraft from raw material phase and till date has produced 150 aircraft. HAL has manufactured approximately 43,000 components in airframe and 6,300 components for engines. Twenty six special technologies have been absorbed and mastered. With this, 70 per cent components are now made in India by HAL with 100 per cent technology absorption as per the contract in airframe and engine.