By : lime

To overcome last minute hitches in the milestone development of the country’s first indigenous aircraft engine, the government is proposing to allow Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) to join hands with international design houses.
According to the latest report of the Parliamentary standing committee on defence, HAL will become a co development partner with world renowned aircraft engine developers to give an “initial impetus’ to aero-engine development in India.
HAL will take up design and development of large and complex aero engines over a period of time, a capability which was till now lacking in India”.
The government has already allowed Defence Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) Gas turbine division to seek foreign collaboration in the development of the indigenous Kaveri aero engine.
To gain a foothold in the field of aero engine technology, the Defence Ministry has told the committee that proposals were under study for co development of F-125 engines with US Honeywell and Rolls Royce for Adour Mk821 and 250-C40B engines.
Participation between HAL and Pratt and Whitney FT4000 was also under consideration. The committee which is in its 17th report was tabled in the Parliament. It recommends that HAL be given “full functional and financial autonomy” and be released from the aprons of the DRDO.
The committee has emphatically stated that “HAL should be allowed to function on the lines of ISRO and Indo-Russian Brahmos cruise missile project if it has to upgrade its offering of services and make pathbreaking new achievements”.