The most striking development in means of transportation, in the 20th century has been the invention of aeroplane.

After the first short successful flight, in December 1903 by the Wright Brothers, aircraft manufacturing got a momentum. The first aircraft was ready in 1909 which was precured by the US Army from Wright Brothers.

The usefulness and need for such a fast flying machine has been well recognized and established for the purposes of areal surveys, deployment, bombardment of enemy targets, rescue operations carrying of logistics etc.

The world wars gave boost to this industry with the result aircrafts of different sizes, purpose, shape, speed are being manufactured in different parts of the world. Air craft industry has brought revolution in means of transportation by carrying passengers, mail, medicines, flowers etc. even to far off places in different parts of the world without caring for frontiers and barriers like deserts, jungles, mountains, seas and oceans.

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The industry has been able to shrink the world and it has made it a global village. Air aviation gave boost to tourism, business, education and instant help to the victims of natural calamities with the result innumerable companies are engaged in travel business both within the country and outside world.

It is basically an assembly industry. It draws components, nuts, bolts, rubber, glass, sophisticated electronic and computers etc. manufactured by various other industries. The industry is highly complex, technical, sophisticated, scientific and expensive.

Restricted market and rapid changes in designs and utility of the aircraft and enormous cost in purchase and maintenance stand in the way of mass production of aircrafts by the manufacturing industry.

The Industry depends on:

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1. Availability of skilled labour.

2. Availability of flat land for takeoff and landing operations during test flights.

3. Huge capital investment.

4. General Industrialization in the country as a result different types of manufactured items are available for the assembly of aircraft.

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5. Craze for air force supremacy.

6. Cordial relations with other countries of the world.

7. A high standard of living of the people. Aircraft manufacturing industry is a luxury, which only very few rich countries can afford because designing, testing, manufacturing and marketing of aircraft are very expensive and laborious.

India is in an infancy stage in respect of development of this industry. HAL (Hindustan Aircraft Ltd.) was set up in 1940 which was purchased by the Government in 1942.

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It has been engaged with designing, assemblage and manufacturing of a few simple low speed aircrafts like HT-2 Vampire, MARUT, Puspak, Kiran, AVRO and Krishk.

Presently India has set up aircraft repair and manufacturing centres at Bangalore, Koraput, Hyderabad, Kanpur and Nasik.

In Bangalore assembly work is carried on. In Nasik and Kanpur aircraft body etc. is manufactured.

Engines are manufactured at Koraput. Electrical and communication equipment for the aircraft is manufactured at Lucknow. Avro 748 is the assembly work of Aircraft manufacturing depot Kanpur.

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HAL manufactures MIG-aircraft based on Soviet Technology, Jaguars based on British technology.

Light Combat Aircraft and Advanced Light Helicopters are being manufactured with British, French and Germany technical knowhow.

HAL manufactures helicopters like Cheeta and Chetak being successfully used by the Indian Air force and Indian Navy.

Avionics for combat aircrafts like MIG, Dornier, Chetak 8c Cheeta etc. being manufactured at Koraput. Engines for MIG 21, MIG 27 are manufactured here with Russian help. At Nasik MIG 21, MIG 27 bodies, spare parts etc. are manufactured.

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The Hindustan Aeronautic Ltd. (HAL) was set up in 1964 at Bangalore. It has 12 divisions located in six states. The HAL is engaged in the design, manufacture, repair and overhaul of aircrafts, helicopters, aero engines, avionics, instruments etc.

BEL (Bharat Electronics Ltd.) was set up in 1954 at Bangalore. It has nine units. It is related to manufacturing of sophisticated electronic equipment for the use of defence forces, Para military forces, Police wireless, All India Radio etc.