Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) new greenfield helicopter factory at Bidarehallakaval at Nittur near Tumakuru in Karnataka, on 6 February 2023. The factory is not just India’s but Asia’s largest helicopter manufacturing facility, and a big step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The foundation stone of the factory was also laid by PM Modi in 2016. With the establishment of facilities like heli-runway, flight hangar, final assembly hangar, structure assembly hangar, air traffic control and various supporting service facilities, the factory is fully operational.

Spread across 615 acres, the factory will initially produce the Light Utility Helicopters (LUH). These will then be augmented to produce other helicopters such as Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) and Indian Multirole Helicopters (IMRHs). It will also be used for maintenance, repair and overhaul of LCH, LUH, Civil Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and IMRH in the future as well as potential exports of civil LUH will also be catered to from this factory. This factory is being equipped with state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 standard tools and techniques for its operations.

The LUH is an indigenously designed and developed 3-ton class, single-engine multipurpose utility helicopter with the unique feature of high maneuverability. It possesses a cruise speed of 235 km/h, maximum speed of 260 km/h, service ceiling of up to 6.5 km, a range of 350 km with maximum take-off weight of 3.12 ton and an empty weight of 1.91 ton. It is capable of accommodating a maximum of two pilots and six passengers, all of which shall be seated on crash-worthy seats. LUH is powered by a single 750 KW rated Shakti-1U turboshaft engine derived from Safran Ardiden, co-developed by HAL and Turbomeca. It supports dual channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system along with backup fuel control system. The helicopter will be equipped with a glass cockpit featuring a Smart Cockpit Display System (SCDS) along with a skid-based landing gear arrangement. LUH is the only helicopter in the 3-ton class to have foldable rotors.

The LUH is a versatile aircraft that is designed to perform a wide range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, transportation, and medical evacuation. It is designed to operate in all weather conditions, in day and night, at high altitude, hot and cold weather and in hostile environments. It can also be fitted with a range of weapons and equipment, including gun pods, rocket launchers and surveillance systems.

The HAL factory will initially produce around 30 helicopters every year and the numbers will be increased to 60 and then 90 in a phased manner. It plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters in the range of 3-15 tons, with a total business of more than ₹4 lakh crore over a period of 20 years. This will result in providing employment for around 6000 people in the region.