Panel urges MoD to establish agreements with global certification agencies to boost HAL aircraft exports

Observing that delays on part of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in securing international certifications for helicopters manufactured by it have resulted in impaired costs exceeding Rs 108 crore and missed export opportunities, a Parliamentary panel has said that a more proactive stance is warranted.

The Committee on Public Undertakings has urged that the Ministry of Defence (MoD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), to move beyond preliminary assessments and initiate concrete measures toward establishing bilateral agreements with key international certification authorities.

“These agreements are essential to streamline approval processes for upcoming aircraft and helicopter projects,” the Committee said in a report laid in Parliament on December 12, while asking for specific steps taken in this direction along with a clear timeline to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing this critical issue.

Ealier, the Committee had pointed out that HAL’s attempt to secure certification for a particular helicopter from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was delayed by over a decade, which significantly affected its export potential.

Initially, HAL anticipated that its extensive military certification experience would facilitate the EASA approval process. The lack of prior engagement with international civil aviation regulators resulted in prolonged testing and documentation delays.

Consequently, HAL was unable to export the helicopter in a timely manner. The Committee further noted that the extended certification timeline not only impacted HAL’s financial standing but also reduced its credibility in the international aviation industry.

“Given the stringent regulatory landscape of civil aviation, the Committee strongly emphasises the need for HAL to integrate international certification requirements from the earliest stages of aircraft design,” the Committee had remarked while asking the Ministry of Defence to strengthen bilateral agreements with key international certification bodies, including EASA, to fast-track approval processes for future aircraft and helicopter projects.

On its part, HAL submitted before the committee that the majority of its projects are for the Indian Defence Services and the products which have a potential to be marketed for civilian use would be taken up for civil and international certification.

“The current research and development manual encompasses the requirements of both military and civil certification by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Based on the requirements of the project undertaken, HAL will integrate international certification requirements at the design stage,” MoD maintained in its reply.

A civil certification group already exists at HAL with the name of Airworthiness Group and they are co-ordinating with DGCA and EASA. “MoD will examine the feasibility of strengthening bilateral agreements with key international certification bodies, including EASA, to fast-track approval processes for future aircraft and helicopter projects through MoCA and DGCA,” the MoD added.

Taking up the significant delays in Gas Turbine Engine project, the Committee had flagged HAL’s failure to secure critical components on time due to procurement bottlenecks and delayed approvals for test-bed construction, delays in land clearance approvals due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, HAL’s inability to anticipate the need for 3D technology and advanced material integration that resulted in multiple redesign efforts, and the lack of indigenous expertise in medium thrust-class engine development, forcing HAL to rely on external consultants.

Taking note of HAL’s reply that the technology involved was very complex and highly iterative and that it is actively working towards establishing long-term strategic partnerships with global aerospace and defence companies to overcome the technology gap, the Committee asked the MoD to expedite this gap analysis and furnish a definitive action plan, with clear timelines and funding arrangements.