Bangalore: Defense PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has become the first Indian firm to fully acquire technology of a launched vehicle. HAL obtained the transfer of Technology (TOT) for ISRO’s small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) at a cost of Rs 511 crore.The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (In-space) announced on Friday that it is a first important milestone of the first time. Unlike PSLV’s manufacturing contract – shared between HAL and L&T – SSLV is completely introduced to HAL. The company will be the owner of the rocket, will build it, market it and launch it independently.The selection process included two stages. Six of the nine applicants were shortlisted in the first round. A committee led by Professor Vijaya Raghavan, former head of the Government of India, evaluated the technical-commercial dialects of three firms, and then by former ISRO Director Suresh. All were technically qualified, but HAL emerged as the highest bidder for Rs 511 crore, said Pawan Goenka, president of the in-space.While HAL presented an independent bid, the other two finalists were Consortia – one led by Bangalore -based Alpha Design and the other by Bharat Dynamics Limited from Hyderabad.“The payment will be done in stages. TOT will take two years. Hell will be at least two SSLV prototype with full help and hand holding by ISRO and two years later, they will be on their own. The initial tot agreement will be for the first two years and then another contract between HAL and ISRO will be signed.”After the first two years, HAL will function independently and can even modify rocket design or choose new partners. A formal contract related to Newspas India Limited (NSIL), HAL, ISRO and IN-Space will be signed soon. NSIL will manage professional aspects, while in-space, in collaboration with ISRO centers, will oversee technology transfer.Barenananapati, director of HAL Finance, said the victory aligned with a broad target of expanding his space portfolio with a comprehensive target of HAL. He assured that the new program would not affect other functions of HAL. Regarding liability for rocket launch, Goenka said that, under international criteria, the state bore primary responsibility. He said, “It is up to the government to decide how much liability will remain with the state and how much will be transferred to HAL. The company will follow the laws implemented after finalizing the contract.”
