Date:25/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/07/25/stories/2006072500410700.htm

Back HAL, Rolls-Royce mark 50 years of partnership

Our Bureau

HAL to co-produce Adour 871 to power Hawk jets

Bangalore , July 24

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Rolls-Royce marked 50 years of their relationship ceremonially at the Farnborough International Airshow recently.

The association began in 1956 with HAL commencing licensed production of Orpheus engines. Soon, HAL will start co-producing the Adour 871 engines that will power the Hawk jet trainers as per a licence agreement of March 2004.

The Hawks will be part-acquired and part-made by HAL for the IAF in a defence deal with another British major, BAe Systems, starting next year.

Working together

A statement from HAL quoted the Rolls-Royce Chief Executive, Sir John Rose, as saying, "India, and HAL in particular, holds a very special place in the history of Rolls-Royce. We are proud of the high quality of engines we have together been able to deliver to the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy during the past 50 years."

The HAL Chairman, Mr Ashok Baweja, said, "When HAL first built the Orpheus 50 years ago, little did we think that we would still be overhauling and flying this engine in the Indian Air Force today! We look forward to a continuing successful partnership with Rolls-Royce for the Adour and other new programmes."

Mr Baweja said HAL has built 750 Orpheus 701 and 703 engines and overhauled 2,618. Their other agreements cover civil and military aero engines. HAL also repairs and overhauls the Rolls-Royce Avon, Dart, Adour and Gnome aero engines as well as Avon and 510K industrial gas turbines. Rolls-Royce has over 1,300 engines in service.

Rolls-Royce, recently, set up its wholly-owned subsidiary, Rolls-Royce Operations India Ltd, in Bangalore to manage and develop the engineering work that is outsourced to India.