SOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence public-sector undertaking, is grappling with a critical manpower shortage that threatens its operational efficiency and ability to meet growing project demands. According to G. Syam Nath, former Executive Director (Joint Ventures & Outsourcing) at HAL, the organization’s workforce has dwindled to half its previous strength, even as the complexity and volume of projects have surged. This alarming reduction in staffing, coupled with a lack of employee-friendly policies, has left HAL’s junior and mid-level staff overburdened, fatigued, and increasingly disheartened.
The manpower crisis at HAL is stark. Despite the rising number of high-profile projects—ranging from the production of advanced fighter jets like the Tejas to helicopters and aero-engines—the organization’s workforce has not been adequately replenished. Nath highlights that even when combining junior and mid-level staff as a single cluster, the staffing levels remain woefully insufficient. Employees at these levels are stretched thin, leading to burnout and declining morale, which could jeopardize HAL’s ability to deliver on critical defence contracts.
Compounding the issue is HAL’s apparent reluctance to adopt progressive, employee-centric initiatives. Unlike many modern organizations, HAL has not implemented measures such as flexitime or a five-day workweek, which could alleviate stress and improve productivity. Nath points out that while HAL conducts periodic HR surveys to assess employee concerns, the findings and subsequent interventions remain opaque, known only to HR staff and top management. This lack of transparency further erodes trust among the workforce.
Financially, addressing the manpower shortage appears feasible. Nath notes that the cost-to-company (CTC) for entry-level engineers at HAL is less than ?10 lakh annually. Even a robust recruitment drive to bolster staffing would add only about ?120 crore per year to HAL’s expenses—a mere 0.6% of its total cost of ?19,919 crore in FY24. Such an investment would have a negligible impact on HAL’s profitability, which has remained strong despite the staffing challenges. The data underscores a clear path forward: recruiting additional personnel is not only affordable but essential for HAL’s sustainability.
The stakes are high for HAL, which plays a pivotal role in India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing. With projects like the Tejas Mk-1A, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and indigenous helicopter programs on the horizon, inadequate staffing could lead to delays, cost overruns, and compromised quality. Nath’s warning is unequivocal: HAL must recruit aggressively or risk jeopardizing its operational capabilities and strategic relevance.
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