Indo-Russian Transport Aircraft Venture.

Does any one have anymore specs on the MTA as its called a present . Its th IL-? ??????????

Two more partners to join HAL in 100-seater venture
Our Bureau

Bangalore , Oct. 23

HINDUSTAN Aeronautics Ltd and its Russian partner Irkutsk Corporation plan to bring two more partners into their joint venture for the manufacture of the 100-seater multi-role transport aircraft (MRTAs).

The new equity partners would bring in expertise in the manufacture of the engine and avionic.

The selection process is on and the preliminary discussions for the new consortium will be held in November, according to HAL Chairman, Mr N.R. Mohanty.

Majors such as CFM (a Snecma Moteurs-GE company) for engines and IAI of Israel are in the reckoning, it is learnt.

Initially, as equal partners, India was to make 45 MRTAs for the IAF and Russia 60 for its use in their respective facilities.

The aircraft were estimated at $30 million apiece, at a total investment of $310 million. Now, the complexion of the partnership will change the production numbers, as the new partners will take some of the production away to their units, sources told Business Line.

For handling its mega project, the Sukhoi 30 Mk1, the defence PSU has bifurcated its Nashik plant into manufacturing and overhaul units and also created a new engine unit at Koraput, taking the total number of factories up from 14 to 16. The first Su-30Mk1 will be delivered during 2004-05.

The same facilities will also be used for upcoming projects like the intermediate and advanced jet trainers — the IJT and AJT — and the MRTAs. Mr Mohanty said the Su-30 project involves an overall investment of Rs 3,500 crore, of which Rs 750 crore would have to be met by HAL on its own — either by internal resources or through market borrowing. HAL, with an encouraging debt-equity ratio of 0.18, would have no constraint with raising debt. It also enjoys high ratings from Crisil and ICRA for short and long-term debt programmes, he said.

HAL has been getting joint venture proposals from several global majors. During the Paris air show in June, it signed an MoU with Eurocopter for a joint facility in Bangalore to make packages for helicopters.

Eurocopter is looking at marketing opportunities in India and South East Asia through this venture. The two companies are working drafting the business plan, while HAL is keen on an equal partnership.

Martin-Baker, a leader in aircraft ejection seats, has also sought to form a joint venture with HAL to make the emergency systems for domestic and export purposes. HAL has already tied up with Snecma Moteurs to make engines.

This year, the defence PSU has undertaken the first upgradation project of Jaguar fighters for the IAF at its Bangalore complex. The Rs 1,500-crore order includes upgrades of 12 fighters and 17 trainers.

The first of these will be test-flown shortly and the orders will be delivered over two years. Upgradation of 60 MiG-27 fighters is also on, with the second batch of 30 under progress. The first upgraded MiG will fly by March 2004. HAL has been working with DRDO unit, DARE, to develop the crucial mission computer for both the upgrades.

A separate division has been hived off to cater to orders for space projects from ISRO.

HAL has Rs 35 crore worth of orders from ISRO to make PSLV, GSLV shields and cryogenic engine tanks.

Last year, the company sourced products worth Rs 100 crore from over 300 SMEs.

“This is just the beginning and we will be involving the private industry in our activities in a very big way. The plan is to outsource at least 25 per cent of value addition,” Mr Mohanty said.

The first prototype vehicle of the light combat aircraft is slated to fly by the end of 2003.

HAL eyes Rs 3,600-cr sales this fiscal

HAL has projected sales of Rs 3,600 crore or a growth of Rs 500 crore for 2003-04. It is targeting export of Rs 150 crore, Mr Mohanty said.

It is betting on export of a few Dorniers and sale of its advanced light helicopter (ALH or Dhruv) to atleast one State Government after civil certification.

Post-audit, the turnover for 2002-03 amounts to an all-time high Rs 3,120 crore and profit of Rs 433 crore compared to 2001-02 sales of Rs 2,775 crore and net profit of Rs 373 crore. HAL paid dividend of Rs 77.99 crore or 64.72 per cent of the paid-up capital of Rs 120.50 crore. Value-added per employee was Rs 6.09 lakh.

HAL has set an export target of Rs 150 crore for the current fiscal.