HAL to set up electronics mfg facility in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is planning to set up a strategic electronics manufacturing facility in the Kinfra Industrial Park in Kerala’s Kasargod district.

The investment in the venture, which will be built on 200 acres, is expected to be around Rs 200 crore, says a press release issued by the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra). The factory in Kasargod is initially being planned as an extension of HAL’s avionics division in Hyderabad, the release adds.

HAL’s division manufactures electronic equipment for use in the communication, radar, navigation and other systems of various aircraft that are in service with the Armed forces. In addition, this division also caters to the requirements of avionics for space applications. It also provides maintenance support for electronic systems fitted in various aircraft, the release adds.

The factory in Kasargod is expected to commence operations from the third quarter of the next financial year (2009-10). It will occupy a built up area of approximately 4,000 sq. metres, and is expected to manufacture and maintain computers used onboard aircraft.

The Union Defence Minister, Mr A.K. Antony, is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the factory on August 23.