Gubbi copter plant in choppy waters

By Girish Linganna

In 2016, Narendra Modi laid a foundation stone to set up a helicopter manufacturing unit of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd at Bidarahalli Kaval in Gubbi taluk in Tumakuru district, which can be covered in two hours by road. Accordingly, it was announced that this new helicopter division, which is coming up on a 610-acre plot, would provide jobs for at least 4,000 families, directly or indirectly. It was predicted that the first helicopter would be manufactured here by 2018. It has progressed at snail’s pace since, remaining only on paper. The deadline to begin manufacturing here has been extended to March 2022 now. The plant was meant exclusively for the manufacture of the IndoRussian Joint Venture KA 226T twin-engine helicopter and the 3-tonne new-generation Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

The Kamov-226T is one of two helicopters that is slated to meet the Indian military’s urgent need for 394 light helicopters. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has entered into a joint venture with Russian Helicopters to build 197 Kamov-226T helicopters in India. Separately, HAL intends to manufacture 187 LUH – which includes 126 for the army and 61 for the IAF.

For building the Kamov-226T in India, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government signed an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) with Russia in 2015. This concession, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to at the personal request of Russian President Vladimir Putin, spared Russian Helicopters from competitive tendering.

This after the eponymous LUH has comprehensively proved its ability to operate at the world’s highest helipads – such as along the Saltoro Ridge, where the Indian Army’s high-altitude pickets are deployed to defend the Siachen Glacier. The Army has flown the Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) in 2010 to the 21,000-feet-high Sonam Post – the world’s highest military helipad. In 2018, he tested the LUH to above 20,000 feet. The new Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), like its forebears, will also be tested in the most brutal of operating conditions and at the highest altitudes.

This is just one of the examples of how a much required project in the national interest has been compromised for reasons unknown. The Gubbi plant was aimed at decentralising the industrial growth across the state to bridge the development gap, generate employment and utilise skilled labour and technical expertise at the local level, to keep the migration from rural areas to urban areas in check.

This Chopper unit at Gubbi aimed to produce 30 helicopters in a year. HAL was expecting an order of 175 Light Utility Helicopter LUH, which would be simultaneously produced from both Bengaluru and Tumakuru divisions.

Recently the Ministry of Defence has placed an order to purchase 12 LUHs, India is also keen on working with Russia to develop the Kamov-226T light helicopter to produce a total 500 advanced Light Helicopters.

Though the project aims big, the hurdles are many.

First, training offered in our Engineering colleges simply does not make students industry-ready. Specialised training is a distant dream. The aerospace sector is always developing, with a constant inflow of new technology; a centre totally dedicated for this purpose is the need of the hour. While the aim is provide employment to highly skilled people, Tumakuru does not currently produce them.

Secondly, the industry needs to be constantly supported with ancillary units, which are a must in the vicinity. These do not exist, however, and there is little understanding of their importance. The Gubbi unit will have to depend on mega cities like Bengaluru for this.

Industry is concentrated in Bengaluru city and attempts to change this have not been successful for various reasons. Though the district is just 70 kms away, well-connected with roads and railways, the dry district of Tumkuru does not hold much ‘water for Industries.’

Despite the smart city tag, the city has failed to live up to its high-tech reputation.

To add to this, many engineers and employees working in HAL being from various parts of India simply don’t find ‘Gubbi’ taluk as lucrative a prospect as cosmopolitan Bengaluru. With absolutely no rivers, Tumakuru has to depend heavily on Hemavathi reservoir even to meet its drinking water reservoir.

Karnataka is hoping to come up with a new aerospace and defence policy to develop five hubs, including Tumakuru. The intention may be good. But what preparations has the state made to invite investment? Tumakaru lacks all types of infrastructure, including roads, water, and assured power supply, as well as trained human resources to make a mark in the aerospace industry. Developing an SEZ or an industrial park should be a comprehensive package – infrastructure and