In a major boost to Defence Production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative and towards achieving self-reliance in the critical field of defense equipment, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has received a prestigious order for the supply of Compact Heat Exchanger sets for 83 LCA Tejas MK1A aircraft, from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The order envisages manufacturing, assembly, testing, and supply of Compact Heat Exchangers to be fitted in the LCA Tejas aircraft being manufactured by HAL.
Supplier of critical equipment
BHEL’s Heavy Plates and Vessels Plant (HPVP), Visakhapatnam is the sole supplier of Heat Exchangers for LCA Tejas to HAL since 1996. BHEL-HPVP and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bangalore have jointly designed and developed 13 different types of Compact Heat Exchangers for Environmental Control System (ECS) and Secondary Power System (SPS) of LCA MK-1 program.
BHEL is also currently working with DRDO for the development of an Air Cycle Machine-based LCS
BHEL is also currently working with DRDO for the development of an Air Cycle Machine-based Liquid Cooling System (LCS) for Aircraft POD application for LCA Mk-2. BHEL-HPVP has dedicated, intricate manufacturing and inspection facilities for the manufacturing of state-of-the-art Compact Heat Exchangers for different types of aircraft manufactured by HAL.
Specialized manufacturing facilities
The same is progressively being augmented to meet International Aero Standards (AS9100) and BHEL is ready to meet the requirements of future programs of LCA, ALH, Sukhoi, and AMCA.
BHEL has been a reliable supplier of critical equipment and services in the Defence and Aerospace sector for over three decades. Significantly, the company has already established specialized manufacturing facilities and capabilities aimed at making a major contribution towards self-reliance in the production of defense equipment. These initiatives of BHEL will be a driving force towards the AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan of the Government of India.