Indian Aircraft Industry: Possible Innovations for Success in the Twenty-First Century, by Vivek Kapur

Taking off in 1940 with the establishment of Hindustan Aircraft Limited (later named Hindustan Aeronautics Limited or HAL), the Indian aviation industry has grown in spurts over the past seven decades and more. During the initial phase, HAL provided maintenance support to various combat aircraft of the allied forces in World War II and, subsequently, commenced licenced production of combat aircraft. After Independence in 1947 and its nationalisation, HAL grew in strength to design combat aircraft. The Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted HAL designed and built fighter aircraft HF24 Marut and trainer aircraft HT2, HJT16 and HPT32 into its fleet. A number of HAL licence-produced fighters, trainers, transport aircraft, and helicopters were inducted as well.