HAL top-level management set for major overhaul

Bangalore: Indian aerospace giant, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd's top management will undergo a complete overhaul over the next few months as a number of top executives retire. The changes will come even as the aerospace giant is gearing up to meet increasing demands from the country's defence sector.

Amongst HAL's top brass the first in line to retire is the director for human resources, R Srinivasan, whose term ends in May.

The position of the director of finance is also open as the previous incumbent failed to get approval for an extension of his tenure from the government. The post is currently held by NC Agarwal as an additional charge, as he is also the director for design and development.

Agarwal, who heads the Aircraft Design and Research Centre (ADRC), a critical division of HAL, is also scheduled to retire this year. ARDC is involved with the design and development of fixed-wing aircraft, including the Tejas light combat aircraft and the fifth-generation fighter aircraft being co-developed with Russia.

HAL's current chairman-cum-managing director, Ashok Nayak , is also scheduled to step down in October. Nayak took over as CMD, HAL in April 2009.

Before Nayak exits, the managing director of the critically important Bangalore complex, D Balasundar is due to exit. A number of HAL divisions including aircraft, overhaul, foundry and forge, engines, aerospace, airport services and limited series productions of Tejas and Sitara trainer come under his charge.