PM lays foundation for HAL's new helicopter plant in Tumkur

The construction work for the new helicopter manufacturing unit of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Tumkur district in Karnataka has begun with Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling a plaque for the foundation stone of the new plant on January 3, 2015.
 
Speaking on the occasion, Modi said that the manufacturing unit coming up in Tumkur would not be an ordinary one, but one which would make the whole world take notice.
 
He added, “Indian Armed Forces are second to none, and now the time has come to ensure that the weapons and equipment they carry and use are also the best in the world. For this, India needs to end dependence on imported weaponry, which is expensive and is not of the latest technology.”
 
With its Make in India initiative, the centre has decided to lay stress on manufacturing of defence equipment within the country. “Helicopters manufactured in Tumkur will serve soldiers stationed in remote locations. About 4000 families will directly or indirectly get livelihood due to this factory,” said Modi.
 
The first helicopter built in this unit is expected to take flight by 2018.
 
The Governor of Karnataka Vajubhai Vala, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, union ministers Manohar Parrikar, D V Sadananda Gowda and Ananth Kumar were also present on the occasion.