HAL to export advanced light helicopters

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, would export its newly developed advanced light helicopters to Nepal and other countries.

''The indigenously built advanced light helicopter will be exported soon. The first piece will be despatched within a month or two,'' HAL chairman N R Mohanty said on Monday.

The company, he said, was also negotiating with Chile for exporting the ALH.

''We have also improved our research and development programme. We have conducted 250 test flights of newly built light combat aircraft,  Tejas,'' Mohanty said, adding the Indian Air Force has ordered for eight pieces of Tejas for its use.

''Tejas will be inducted in the Air Force by 2007-08. The IAF is expected to place further order for 20 more of them in phases,'' he said.

Besides, HAL was working on developing the prototype of intermediate jet trainers and expected to complete the job in the next 20 months.

''We are expecting the IAF to place an order for about 200 pieces of IJT. The IAF has also ordered for 31 ALH Dhruv,'' he said.

About the HAL unit at Barrackpore, he said it would start overhaul of Cheetah/Chetak helicopters of Indian Navy and Coast Guard from next year.

It has also been planned to take up the job of overhaul of sophisticated components of Sukhoi 30 and ALHs in Kolkata.