Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a leading defence public sector undertaking, has appointed P B Rangarao as Additional Director, designated as Director (Operations), with effect from October 28, 2026.
Rangarao has more than 31 years of experience with HAL, having joined the company as a Design Trainee in 1995. Before his elevation, he was serving as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HAL’s Helicopter Complex. Earlier, he held several key positions, including Executive Director and General Manager of the Helicopter Division.
Following the appointment, Kota Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of HAL, has ceased to hold the additional charge of Director (Operations) with immediate effect.
P B Rangarao’s Career and Experience at HAL
Since joining HAL in 1995, Rangarao has gained extensive experience across several areas of helicopter manufacturing and operations. His responsibilities have included plant maintenance, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) manufacturing, Cheetah and Chetak helicopter projects, outsourcing and production planning.
Before becoming CEO of the Helicopter Complex, he served as Executive Director of HAL’s Helicopter Division, where he contributed to strengthening the company’s manufacturing capabilities and improving production processes.
His experience across manufacturing, project execution and production management is expected to support HAL’s operational activities and ongoing defence aviation programmes.
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Key Contributions to HAL’s Helicopter Manufacturing
Rangarao has played an important role in expanding HAL’s helicopter manufacturing capabilities and supporting the production of indigenous defence platforms.
His notable contributions include:
- Helicopter Division at Tumakuru: Played a key role in operationalising HAL’s new Helicopter Division at Tumakuru and enabling the production rollout of the first batch of Light Utility Helicopters (LUH).
- Light Combat Helicopter production: Oversaw the commissioning of Limited Series Production (LSP) bases for the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.
- Major defence contracts: Contributed to concluding the contract for 25 Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III helicopters for the Indian Army and signing the contract for 156 LCH Prachand helicopters for the Army and the Air Force.
- Cheetah and Chetak supply chains: Helped re-establish supply chains for Cheetah and Chetak helicopters following the closure of Airbus facilities in France.
- Production capacity expansion: Supported capacity expansion through public-private partnerships.
- Indigenisation initiatives: Contributed to addressing obsolescence through indigenisation and the development of domestic supply capabilities.
- Manufacturing efficiency: Worked on streamlining manufacturing processes to improve the production efficiency of ALH components.
These initiatives have supported HAL’s efforts to strengthen domestic helicopter production, maintain supply-chain continuity and meet the operational requirements of India’s armed forces.
Educational Qualifications of P B Rangarao
Rangarao holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Regional Engineering College, Warangal. He also has a postgraduate diploma in Business Management from XIME, Bengaluru.
In addition, he has completed a Leadership Development Programme at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.
His technical education, management training and long association with HAL have provided him with experience in engineering, manufacturing operations and programme execution.
HAL Leadership Change: Kota Ravi Relinquishes Additional Charge
With Rangarao’s appointment as Director (Operations), HAL CMD Kota Ravi has relinquished the additional charge of the position with immediate effect from October 28, 2026.
The change places the responsibility for the Director (Operations) role with Rangarao, who has extensive experience in the company’s helicopter manufacturing and production operations.
The appointment comes as HAL continues to support India’s defence aviation requirements through the development, manufacturing and production of helicopters and other aerospace platforms.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a public sector aerospace and defence company under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Headquartered in Bengaluru, HAL is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, repair and overhaul of aircraft, helicopters, engines and related aerospace systems. The company plays a significant role in supporting India’s military aviation capabilities and the country’s drive towards indigenous defence manufacturing.
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