Hyderabad, Jan. 29 -- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Wednesday signed an agreement with Russian firm United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to pursue the licensed production of the regional commercial aircraft SJ-100, and another deal with Pawan Hans Limited for supplying 10 Dhruv NG (new generation) choppers to the helicopter service provider, officials said. The developments signal HAL's new push to boost its minuscule civil business, which accounts for barely 5% of its total turnover.

"Our business is structured around military platforms, and we are now looking at diversifying into the civil sector as a corporate strategy. Around 25% of our turnover is likely to come from non-military business in another 10 years," HAL chairman DK ...