HAL Division, Bharat Forge Sign MoU for Development & Production Of Aerospace Grade Steel Alloys

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Foundry & Forge Division, Saarloha Advanced Materials Pvt Ltd (Saarloha) and Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for development and production of aerospace grade steel alloys, at Aero India.

This MoU looks to accentuate development, certification and prove out and application of new material for use in production of aircrafts, engines, and accessories.

The MoU was signed by M S Venkatesh (Executive Director, F&F, HAL) Guru Biswal (CEO – BFL Aerospace division), and R K Goyal (Director - Saarloha), in the presence of Senior officials from HAL, Saarloha & BFL.

In a statement, M S Venkatesh (Executive Director, F&F, HAL) said that the development of Aerospace grade raw materials in the country will help HAL in maintaining its commitment to Armed forces and will also reduce nation’s dependency on foreign OEMs with respect to raw materials.

There are very few equivalent approved/qualified domestic suppliers for various types of Aerospace grade steel alloys used in Aircraft applications. Due to this such alloys get imported which creates dependency on foreign steel, manufactures.

“A step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, this MoU will open many other avenues for not only HAL and Saarloha, but many other companies which may be benefitted due to development of Aerospace grade steel bars in country,” Venkatesh said.

Accelerated efforts are needed to develop and manufacture such steel alloys in India through collaboration. The usage of such specialty alloys in Aerospace is going to increase multifold, especially in fighter Aircrafts/Helicopters. This indigenisation initiative by the two companies could also pave the way for the increased utilisation of ‘Make in India’ steels in other related sectors such as space and defense.