Honeywell wants to relocate small engine unit to HAL

Mumbai: US aerospace major Honeywell is in talks with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture engines for civil transport aircraft in India, a senior HAL official said.

"They are talking of transferring a production line of one of their global engines - civil aircraft engine - for their smaller transport aircraft", reports quoted A K Saxena, MD of HAL's Bangalore complex, as saying.

Saxena expects the two companies to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) after the conclusion of the talks.

Global aerospace major Pratt and Whitney is also in talks with HAL to enter into a broad-based partnership agreement covering areas like energy, research and development and manufacturing, he said.

HAL already has an agreement with Pratt and Whitney Canada for an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centre in Bangalore.

Saxena said HAL is looking for partnership with leaders, including GE and Pratt and Whitney, and the company intends to go in a very big way in the industrial and marine gas turbine area.
He said HAL is bullish on the MRO facility as the number of civil aircraft flying in India is expected to go up from around 250 at present to nearly 600 by 2011-12.

Honeywell Aerospace is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations.

The company has capabilities in sophisticated avionics, flight safety products and systems, propulsion engines, auxiliary power units and wheels and brakes and has core competencies in power, guidance, navigation, safety, communication and services.