A strategic agreement has been reached between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Collins Aerospace, an RTX company, to build a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at HAL’s Accessories Complex in Lucknow.
Through effective maintenance and overhaul of its electrical power generation systems, the partnership seeks to improve the operational readiness of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS MK-1.
Collins Aerospace’s Integrated Drive Generators (IDGs) and Generator Control Units (GCUs), which supply power to a number of Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, will be serviced by HAL as part of the agreement.
Collins Aerospace’s Integrated Drive Generators (IDGs) and the Generator Control Units (GCUs) that supply power to certain Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets will be repaired and overhauled at the facility.
“The new MRO facility builds on our established collaboration withAeronautics Limited, Hindustan. Ryan Hudson, vice president of Aftermarket, Power & Controls at Collins Aerospace, stated, “We are totally committed to in-country, long-term sustainment of India’s war fighter fleet.”
It is anticipated that this initiative will improve overall fleet availability, strengthen self-reliance in defense maintenance, and shorten turnaround times for repairs. With the technical capacity to accommodate future demands for new platforms, the facility will also improve self-reliance and allow HAL to offer the TEJAS fleet better customer support.
The deal comes as HAL gets ready to expedite TEJAS MK-1A deliveries to the IAF in response to worries about possible delays. The stock price of HAL has partially recovered as a result of the management’s assurances to stakeholders that the expected deliveries will soon start.
The indigenous TEJAS MK-1, C-17 transport aircraft, C-295 aircraft, C-130J Super Hercules turboprop military transport aircraft, P-8I maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, AH-64E attack gunship, CH-47F ‘Chinook’, and MH-60R Naval Helicopters are just a few of the platforms on which Collins Aerospace has provided support to the IAF for over 80 years. With more than 7,000 workers spread across Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, RTX is one of the biggest aerospace and defense companies in India.