HAL 1st Indian firm to bag full rocket tech

Time of India

4 hours ago

BENGALURU: Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has become the first Indian firm to fully acquire technology of a launch vehicle. HAL secured the transfer of technology (ToT) for
's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) at a cost of Rs 511 crore.
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Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) announced Friday that this first-of-its-kind complete ToT marked a significant milestone. Unlike the manufacturing contract of PSLV - shared between HAL and L&T - the SSLV has been fully offered to HAL. The company will own the rocket, build it, market it, and launch it independently.
The selection process involved two stages. Out of nine applicants, six were shortlisted in the first round.
A committee led by former principal scientific adviser to govt of India, Prof Vijaya Raghavan, and co-headed by former Isro director Suresh, then evaluated the techno-commercial bids of three firms. All were technically qualified but HAL emerged as the highest bidder at Rs 511 crore, IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka said.
While HAL submitted an independent bid, the other two finalists were consortia - one led by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design and the other by Bharat Dynamics Ltd from Hyderabad.
"Payment will be done in phases. ToT will take two years. HAL will make at least two SSLV prototypes with complete help and hand-holding by Isro and after two years, they will be on their own. The initial ToT agreement will be for the first two years and then another contract will be signed between HAL and Isro," Goenka said.
After the initial two years, HAL will function independently and can even modify the rocket design or choose new partners.
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A formal contract involving NewSpace India Ltd (Nsil), HAL, Isro and IN-SPACe will be signed soon. Nsil will manage the commercial aspects while IN-SPACe, in collaboration with Isro centres, will oversee the technology transfer.
Barenya Senapati, HAL's director of finance, said the win aligned with HAL's broader goal of significantly expanding its space portfolio. He assured the new programme would not affect HAL's other operations.
Regarding liability for rocket launches, Goenka noted that, under international norms, the state bore primary responsibility. "It is up to govt to decide how much of the liability will remain with the state and how much will be transferred to HAL. The company will comply with applicable laws once the contract is finalised," he said.