HAL looks to build light helicopters to develop medium chopper expertise

Since the early-1960s, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has built income from fixed-wing combat aircraft by designing the HF-24 Marut and assembling MiG-21 fighters. With revenue from Sukhoi-30MKI assembly diminishing, HAL is pivoting toward helicopter manufacturing to maintain its position as India's leading defence public sector undertaking. HAL chief CB Ananthakrishnan reports delivering over 320 Dhruv advanced light helicopters to military branches. The organization now seeks to develop light helicopter expertise as a stepping stone to medium-class helicopter production.