Hindustan Aeronautics Limited facts for kids

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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

Type	Public
Traded as	NSE: HAL BSE: 541154
Industry	Aerospace Defence
Founded	22 December 1940; 84 years ago (1940-12-22) (as Hindustan Aircraft) 1964; 61 years ago (1964) (Hindustan Aeronautics)
Headquarters	Bengaluru, Karnataka , India
Key people	DK Sunil (Chairman & MD)
Products	Transport aircraft Fighter aircraft Trainer aircraft Helicopters
Revenue	₹33,542 crore (US$5.7 billion) (2025)
Operating income	₹10,820 crore (US$1.8 billion) (2025)
Net income	₹8,364 crore (US$1.4 billion) (2025)
Total assets	₹106,266 crore (US$18 billion) (2025)
Total equity	₹34,985 crore (US$5.9 billion) (2025)
Owner	Government of India (71.65%)
Number of employees	24,457 (March 2023)
Footnotes / references Financials as of 31 March 2025 (2025 -03-31)^[update].

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a big Indian company that makes things for airplanes and defense. It's based in Bengaluru, India. HAL started way back in 1940, making it one of the oldest and largest aerospace and defense companies in the world.

HAL began building aircraft in 1942. They made planes like the Harlow PC-5 and Curtiss P-36 Hawk for the Indian Air Force. Today, HAL has 11 special research centers and 21 factories across India. The company is run by a board of directors chosen by the Indian government. In 2024, HAL was given "Maharatna" status, which means it's a very important public company.

HAL designs and builds many things. These include fighter jets, helicopters, jet engines, and parts for aircraft. They also fix and upgrade Indian military aircraft. The HAL HF-24 Marut fighter-bomber was the first fighter jet made entirely in India.

History of HAL

Workers checking new fuel tanks during World War II.

HAL started as Hindustan Aircraft Limited in Bangalore (now Bengaluru) on December 23, 1940. It was founded by Walchand Hirachand with help from the Kingdom of Mysore. Walchand Hirachand became the company's first chairman.

The factory in Bengaluru was set up with equipment from the United States. The Mysore Kingdom invested a lot of money in the company. This was important to help the British military during Second World War against the threat from Japan.

In April 1942, the Indian government took over the company. The Mysore Kingdom kept its share but gave control to the government. In 1943, the Bengaluru factory was used by the United States Army Air Forces. It became a major center for repairing American aircraft during the war. After the war, the factory even built railway carriages for a while.

An IJT prototype in its hangar.

After India became independent in 1947, the Indian government took full control of the company. In 1954, Hindustan Aircraft Limited built 158 railway coaches.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was officially formed on October 1, 1964. This happened when Hindustan Aircraft Limited joined with other groups that were making aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Even though HAL didn't make many new fighter jets (except the HF-24 Marut), it was very important for making the Indian Air Force more modern. In 1957, HAL started making jet engines under a special agreement.

The production line for the HAL Dhruv helicopter in Bengaluru.

In the 1980s, HAL grew a lot. They developed new aircraft like the HAL Tejas and HAL Dhruv. HAL also upgraded the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 jet, making it last more than 20 years longer. HAL also got big contracts from international companies like Airbus and Boeing to make aircraft parts and engines.

By 2012, HAL was working hard on production. In March 2017, HAL announced plans to make more things in India. The company planned to produce many military helicopters and planes over the next 10 years. This included the Kamov 226T helicopter, which will replace older helicopters. HAL also planned to upgrade many fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.

Light Combat Helicopter joining the Indian Army.

To support the "Make in India" policy, HAL is setting up bases in other countries. These bases in places like Indonesia and Malaysia will help promote HAL products. They will also serve as repair centers for aircraft from Russia.

In October 2024, HAL received "Maharatna" status. This gives the company more freedom in how it operates and manages its money. In 2025, HAL invited private Indian companies to work together on making the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. HAL would own half of this project.

In June 2025, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) shared its rocket technology with HAL. This was the first time ISRO gave all the technology for a rocket to one company. Also in June 2025, HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines from France agreed that HAL would make parts for their LEAP engines.

Aero Engine Research and Development Centre

On December 29, 2023, a new design and testing center opened at HAL's Aero Engine Research and Development Centre (AERDC) in Bengaluru. This center works on developing new engines:

PTAE-7 engine: This was India's first jet engine made in the country. It's used in the Lakshya target drone.
Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine-25 (HTFE-25): This engine is for trainer aircraft, drones, and small fighter jets.
Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine-1200 (HTSE-1200): This engine is for light and medium helicopters like the HAL Dhruv and HAL Prachand.
Aravalli Engine: This engine is being developed for the Indian Multi Role Helicopter.

HAL Operations

HAL is one of the biggest aerospace companies in Asia. A lot of HAL's money comes from international deals. They make aircraft engines, spare parts, and other materials for planes. Here are some of the things HAL does:

International Agreements

HAL Dhruv helicopters of the Ecuadorian Air Force in 2009.

An IAF BAe Hawk being made at the HAL factory in Bengaluru.

They have a big contract to make aircraft parts for Boeing.
HAL makes turbofan engines for MiG-29K jets.
They make aircraft engines for Honeywell.
HAL makes Dornier 228 planes for a company in Switzerland.
They make aircraft parts for Airbus.
HAL exports special materials to Israel.
They have a joint research center with Honeywell for engines.
HAL supplies Advanced Light Helicopters to the Ecuadorian Air Force. They also have a maintenance base there.
They supply parts for Malaysian Su-30MKM jets.
HAL supplies ambulance versions of the HAL Dhruv to Peru.
They supply HAL Dhruv helicopters to Turkey.
HAL supplies Chetak and Cheetah helicopters to Namibia.
They supply HAL Dhruv helicopters to Mauritius' police.
HAL is working with Israel on developing unmanned helicopters.
They supply steel and nickel alloy parts to GE Aviation for their engines.

Domestic Agreements

HAL makes Sukhoi Su-30MKI jets at its factories in Nasik, Koraput, and Bengaluru.
They are making many HAL Light Combat Helicopters and HAL Dhruv helicopters for the Indian Air Force.
HAL is building a large aerospace center in Shamshabad, Telangana.
They are upgrading the SEPECAT Jaguar jets for the Indian Air Force.
HAL has a helicopter training facility in Bengaluru with a Canadian company.
They are upgrading MiG-29 jets with Russia's MiG Corporation.
HAL makes BAE Hawk 132 jets under a special agreement.

Aircraft Made in India

HAL Tejas.

HAL has designed and developed many aircraft over the years. These include the HF-24 Marut, the Dhruv, the LUH, and the LCH. HAL also makes products using technology from the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation). They work with Bharat Electronics for aircraft electronics and Indian Ordnance Factories for weapons.

HAL also provides parts for ISRO's rockets and satellites.

Agricultural Aircraft

HA-31 Basant (1972–1980): This plane was used for farming. It is no longer made.

Fighter Aircraft

HF-24 Marut.

HAL HF-24 Marut: This was India's first fighter-bomber. It is no longer used.
HAL Tejas: This is a light combat aircraft that is currently used.
HAL Tejas MK2: This is a more advanced fighter jet that is being developed.
HAL TEDBF: This is a twin-engine fighter jet for the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers. It is being developed.
AMCA: This is a stealth fighter jet that is being developed.

Trainer Aircraft

HAL HTT-40 Basic training aircraft.

Hindustan HJT-36 Sitara Intermediate jet trainer.

HT-2: This was the first aircraft designed by HAL to be produced. It is no longer used.
HAL-26 Pushpak: A basic trainer aircraft from the 1950s. It is no longer made.
HJT-16 Kiran: These are jet trainers that are still used. They will be replaced by the HJT-36 Yashas.
HPT-32 Deepak: A basic trainer that was used for over 30 years. It is no longer used.
HTT-40: This is a basic trainer aircraft that is currently being produced.

Passenger, Transport, and Utility Aircraft

Saras, developed with National Aerospace Laboratories.

Saras: A light transport aircraft for passengers, developed with NAL.
Indian Regional Jet (IRJ): A regional airliner for 70-100 passengers, being developed with NAL.

Helicopters

HAL Dhruv of the Indian Navy.

Three HAL Rudra helicopters flying together.

HAL Prachand of the Indian Air Force.

Dhruv: An advanced light helicopter that is currently being produced.
Rudra: An armed version of the Dhruv helicopter, also in production.
Prachand: A light attack helicopter that is currently being produced.
Light Utility Helicopter: A light helicopter for general use, in limited production.
Indian Multi Role Helicopter: A medium-sized helicopter for many uses, being developed.

Observation and Reconnaissance Aircraft

HAOP-27 Krishak (1959 to ~1975): Used for observation. It is no longer used.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

PTA Lakshya: A target drone.
Rustom: A family of UAVs for different purposes.
Nishant: A UAV used for looking around (reconnaissance).
NRUAV: An unmanned helicopter.
HAL Combat Air Teaming System (CATS): A system where manned aircraft work with unmanned drones.

Gliders

G-1: HAL's first original design from 1941. Only one was built.
RG-1 Rohini
Ardhra: A training glider.

Engines

GTX-35VS Kaveri engine prototype being tested.

Cryogenic Rocket Engines

CE-20 cryogenic rocket engine.

CE-7.5: A rocket engine used on the GSLV Mk.II.
CE-20: A powerful rocket engine used on the LVM-3 rocket.

Turboshaft Engines

Shakti: An engine for the HAL Dhruv Helicopter, developed with a French company.
Aravalli: An engine for the HAL IMRH, being developed with a French company.
HTSE-1200: An engine that can be used in helicopters like the LUH and Dhruv.

Turbojet Engines

HAL HJE-2500 Engine at HAL Museum.

Hindustan Jet Engine (HJE-2500): An older jet engine that is no longer used.
PTAE-7: An engine used for the Lakshya PTA target drone.

Turbofan Engines

GTX-35VS Kaveri: An engine that can be used in the HAL Tejas and AMCA fighter jets. It is being developed.
HTFE-25: An engine for trainer jets, business jets, and UAVs. It is being developed.