January 28, 2015: As part of its effort to gear up for a higher-tempo role in defence production, a total of 111 technology projects have been identified by HAL in the areas of design, manufacture, avionics and material to support indigenisation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign. The company has drawn up a modernisation and expansion plan for each division and R&D centre of the company to be implemented by 2018. These include the indigenous design & development of a mini UAV (8 kg class) for surveillance and reconnaissance, be part of a special purpose vehicle to design, develop and manufacture a Regional Civil Aircraft in collaboration with National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL), move forward with the design and development of a 20 KN engine that was launched in 2012-13, to explore the acquisition of new and critical technologies through collaboration, co-development, transfer of technology agreements, formation of joint ventures etc. HAL has chalked out certain crucial projects such as Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), HTT-40, Su-30 MKI, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) and a few others as its growth pillars moving forward, in addition to new projects. HAL believes that LCA, IJT and HTT-40 need to be its in-house technology drivers to demonstrate that the company is capable of delivering beyond license production of equipment, and helping. One of the major thrust areas for HAL this year onward will be exploiting the export potential of its products. The company will be hiring consultants this year to develop an appropriate marketing strategy for its defence and civil platforms.