
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has delivered four ALH Mk III maritime helicopters to the Indian Coast Guard under a 2024 contract. The helicopters will support surveillance, search and rescue, and coastal security operations.

HAL has conducted the inaugural flight of its Dhruv New Generation helicopter in Bengaluru, marking its entry into the civil helicopter market. The event also included DGCA certification for indigenous manufacture of the Shakti civil engine, with full civil certification expected in the coming months.

Safran has announced new aviation investments in India, including LEAP and M88 engine MRO centres in Hyderabad and a joint venture with Bharat Electronics Limited to manufacture the Hammer air-to-surface weapon. The company outlined expanded production and engineering plans during a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

HAL has entered into a contract with GE Aerospace to procure 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services for its LCA Mk1A fighter-jet programme, with engine deliveries scheduled from 2027 to 2032 in support of 97 aircraft. The engine deal follows a previous contract in 2021 under which HAL ordered 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines for the LCA Mk1A.

HAL and Russia’s UAC have signed an MoU for the local production of the twin-engine SJ-100 regional jet, with HAL holding rights to manufacture the aircraft for India’s domestic market. HAL said that this marks the first time a complete passenger aircraft will be produced in India since the AVRO HS-748, which was assembled by HAL between 1961 and 1988.

HAL’s Nashik facility has conducted the first flight of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A and inaugurated new production lines for the fighter and the HTT-40 trainer aircraft. The expansion is intended to increase LCA output to 24 aircraft annually and represents a major boost to India’s indigenous manufacturing capacity.