Indo Russian KA-226T Helicopter Manufacturing Facility Location Identified

A facility to manufacture KA-226T helicopters in India by a recently formed company, Indo Russian Helicopter Pvt. Ltd. (IRHL) will be located at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s proposed helicopter plant in Tumakuru near Bangalore.

The IRHL has been incorporated as Joint Venture cum subsidiary in May 2017 between HAL, Russian Helicopters and Rosoboronexport, with the objective to manufacture Ka-226T helicopters in India.

The authorized capital of the JV is INR30 crore (US$5 million) and paid up capital is INR crore. The venture has 50.5% shareholding by HAL, 42.5% by Russian Helicopters and 7% by Rosoboronexport.

The facility for Ka-226T helicopters is proposed to be co-located at the helicopter manufacturing facilities coming up at Tumakuru, an Indian MoD release said quoting statements made in the Indian Parliament.

IRHL is expected to fulfill a requirement for over 200 utility helicopters for the Indian armed forces. Besides, under the terms of an Indo-Russian agreement, the KA-226T helicopters manufactured in India would also be exported to third countries.

The foundation stone of a green field helicopter manufacturing facility has been laid by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2016.

The 600 acre facility will function as an independent Division of HAL for production and maintenance of light Utility Helicopters (LUHs), with future expansion for production of other Helicopters.The cost of initial setting up of the facilities is expected to be around INR2000 crore ($307 million).