Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has appointed Ajay Kumar Shrivastava as Director (Engineering and R&D), marking a significant leadership transition within the organization. His promotion crowns a distinguished 37-year career at HAL, which began with his entry as a Management Trainee (Technical) and culminates in one of the company’s top technical positions.
“His elevation marks the culmination of an exemplary 37-year career with HAL, which began as a Management Trainee (Technical).” Shrivastava’s appointment highlights HAL’s emphasis on nurturing in-house talent and leadership rooted in deep technical and institutional experience.
Prior to taking on this role, Shrivastava served as Executive Director at HAL’s Aircraft Research & Design Centre (ARDC). During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in multiple aircraft development initiatives, reinforcing HAL’s position as a leader in indigenous aviation technology. His technical leadership was crucial in avionics upgrades for platforms including the HS-748, Do-228, Sea King, and IL-78.
One of his most notable achievements includes overseeing the DGCA Type Certification for India’s first indigenous civil aircraft—the Do-228 and Hindustan-228, a milestone for India’s civil aviation sector. This accomplishment demonstrates his ability to align R&D with regulatory compliance and market readiness, which will be vital as HAL continues to expand both its defense and civilian aerospace offerings.
Shrivastava is an alumnus of HBTI Kanpur and has furthered his education in aviation safety with a master’s degree from ENAC/ENSICA, France. His international exposure and technical acumen have earned him the FASIA (French Aeronautics & Space Industry Award), underscoring his global recognition in aerospace engineering.
With Shrivastava now at the helm of Engineering and R&D, HAL is well-positioned to strengthen its innovation pipeline, accelerate indigenous programs, and contribute to India’s vision of self-reliance in aerospace technology.
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