28 firms line up to partner with HAL for stealth fighter project

As many as 28 private sector firms have lined up to partner with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the highly-anticipated development of India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, and the aircraft maker has formed a committee to draw up a shortlist of a maximum of two companies to form a consortium to pursue one of the country’s most significant military projects, HAL chairman DK Sunil said on Saturday.

- Rahul Singh

The firms have submitted their responses to the requirements outlined by HAL in a recent tender for a possible partnership to participate in the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) competition, and the panel is going through their pitch with a fine-tooth comb before the state-run firm can finalise the private sector player it plans to work with for the project.

The deadline for HAL to form a consortium and respond to a call for expressions of interest (EOI) by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for the AMCA programme is September 30. The ADA, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is executing the programme through industry partnership.

“The committee has evaluated the private firms on metrics such as capability, technology, financial standing and prior experience, and its report is almost ready. The terms and conditions lay down that a consortium can have a maximum of three partners. We will respond to the EOI this week with either one or two partners,” he said, adding that almost all major firms are keen to tie up with HAL.