Public sector BEML Ltd is establishing an aerospace manufacturing division.
Foundation for the unit was laid at the SEZ park near the Bangalore international airport at Devanahalli on Monday by Mr. V.R.S. Natarajan, CMD, BEML.
The company, which is into manufacture of railway coaches, mining and construction equipment, said it is entering the aerospace vertical as part of its plans to expand its defence portfolio. The facility is expected to come up by September.
The company said the establishment of the facility would pave the way for its entry into aircraft manufacturing. The Bangalore unit is its second aerospace manufacturing facility, after Mysore unit. It would be capable of producing aerospace components and parts and assembling aircraft and helicopters up to 21 metres in height.
In a statement posted on the BSE web site, the company said that the facility was spread over 3 lakh sq ft and the company would be investing Rs 455 crore in the Bangalore project.
The Mysore division manufactures ground support equipment/ground handling equipment like aircraft towing tractor, crash fire tender, sub-assembly/components for SU 30 aircraft etc. This division is qualified to design aircraft, helicopter and engine parts.
After the opening of the Bangalore facility, the Mysore division would be involved in the manufacture of ground support and handling equipment while Bangalore factory would engage in the manufacture of aerospace and related parts.
It would have assembly hangar to produce sub/major assembly with 21 metre height for civil/military aircraft and also for the assembly of 90-100 seater aircraft etc.
BEML would be able to take up the entire gamut of aircraft production-from design, virtual testing, precision/heavy manufacturing of sub-assembly.