HAL Inks Deals With IAI and Elbit

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently announced that it had concluded a “very big order” for airframe structures from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and signed an agreement with Elbit Systems to make aircraft and helicopter simulators. While precise details were not offered, PTI reports that the deals are “expected to run into millions of dollars.” HAL CEO Ashok K Baweja also held talks with top Boeing officials attending Franborough on a major program for outsourcing aircraft structural components for Boeing’s present and future programs.”A roadmap of various processes is being finalised,” Banerjee said. HA currently makes aircraft doors for both Boeing and Airbus, and also makes kits to convert 737 passenger aircraft into freighters. See DID’s February 2005 article re: aerospace outsourcing to India for more general background on the larger trends.