Samtel HAL Display Systems Limited (SHDS), a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Samtel Avionics, has inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Gurugram, strengthening India’s indigenous capabilities in defence avionics and display systems.
The new facility, located at Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, Gurugram, India, will support the design, development, manufacturing and product support of advanced display systems for both airborne and ground applications.
The facility was formally inaugurated by Ravi K., Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, and will house dedicated testing and quality assurance capabilities for advanced display systems. SHDS has the distinction of being India’s first public-private joint venture in defence avionics to indigenously design, qualify and serially produce a multifunction display (MFD) for a fighter aircraft.
The company’s displays are already deployed on the Su-30MKI, demonstrating its ability to develop and manufacture avionics display systems to defence-grade requirements.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ravi K. said the facility represented an important milestone in HAL’s efforts to strengthen indigenous defence avionics capabilities.
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He highlighted the combination of HAL’s military aviation expertise and Samtel’s display technology capabilities, adding that HAL would continue working with Indian industry to accelerate indigenisation, reduce dependence on imports and develop reliable avionics solutions for the armed forces.
Puneet Kaura, Director of SHDS and MD & CEO of Samtel Avionics, said the facility was the result of almost two decades of collaboration between HAL and Samtel to develop technologies that were previously dependent on imports. The new manufacturing and testing infrastructure is expected to support SHDS as it expands its portfolio across multiple defence aviation programmes.
The company has already been selected for HAL’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) programme and is positioned on the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) programme. SHDS is also exploring opportunities on the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) programmes, while discussions relating to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme are continuing.
Established in 2006, SHDS has become one of the key Indian suppliers of defence display systems. The joint venture forms part of the Samtel Group, which has more than four decades of experience in display manufacturing.
The company holds an industrial licence from the Ministry of Defence, is a CEMILAC-approved design house and operates a DGAQA-approved manufacturing facility. Its quality management framework includes AS 9100C certification.
SHDS expects its annual turnover to reach approximately ₹200 crore in 2026, its highest level to date. Supported by a growing order book and new defence aviation programmes, the company expects turnover to potentially increase to ₹400–500 crore over the next three to four years.
For the MRO and defence aviation ecosystem, the facility could have wider significance as greater localisation of avionics manufacturing creates opportunities for domestic product support, repair, testing and lifecycle management.
The availability of indigenous display-system design and manufacturing capabilities can also help reduce reliance on overseas suppliers for critical avionics equipment and strengthen the long-term sustainment ecosystem for Indian military aircraft and helicopters.
With its expanding programme footprint, SHDS is positioning its new Gurugram facility as a base for the next phase of India’s indigenous defence avionics and lifecycle-support capability.
