Realign Business Process, Says A K Antony To HAL

India’s Minister for Defense, AK Antony has requested Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to review its business processes for strategic alliances, joint ventures and to step up R&D efforts to remain globally competitive. HAL must partner with design laboratories like DRDO and CSIR for the development of indigenous aircraft, engines and systems, said Antony while addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his ministry. Antony also said that HAL should adopt best practices followed by the global leaders in the field of project management, quality control systems, vendor deployment and supply chain management. HAL is set to jump with the planned acquisition and production of Light Combat Aircraft, Light Utility Helicopter, Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft, Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, Multirole Transport Aircraft, Basic Trainer Aircraft in its assembly lines in the coming years. Keeping in mind the mammoth role that the HAL would assume in the coming years in the aerospace industry and the challenges that it would face, The Indian government has set up an expert group to assess the role HAL will play in the aerospace industry and the challenges it will face in the next few years. Under the chairmanship of Shri BK Chaturvedi, Member of the Planning Commission, the expert group has already met twice and is expected to submit its report soon. The Group will suggest measures to enhance the synergies between HAL, the private defence sector and the civilian industry.