Ajay Kumar Shrivastava takes over as HAL director for engineering, R&D-OxBig News Network

Ajay Kumar Shrivastava assumed charge as Director (Engineering and R&D) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on July 15, the company said.

Before this appointment, he held the position of Executive Director (Aircraft Research & Design Centre) at HAL, said an official release on Wednesday (July 16, 2025).

Mr. Shrivastava began his career at HAL in 1988 as a Management Trainee (Technical). Throughout his 37-year tenure, he has held several key leadership positions, including Head of the ARDC and Head of the Transport Aircraft Research and Design Centre (TARDC), it added.

He has made significant contributions to major projects such as the avionics upgrade of the entire HS-748 fleet, the Do-228, the Sea King helicopter, and the IL-78, the release said.

Under his leadership, HAL secured DGCA certification for two Do-228 aircraft—the first indigenous transport civil passenger aircraft in India to receive Type Certification—as well as the Type Certification of the Hindustan-228 aircraft.

He has also successfully led the indigenisation of several critical aircraft components and has extensive experience in the design and development of trainer, fighter, and transport aircraft, as well as rotary-wing platforms.

A recipient of the FASIA (French Aeronautics & Space Industry Award) for his contributions to the aeronautics industry, Mr. Shrivastava played a key role in the avionics upgrade of the Hindustan Jet Trainer-36 ‘Yashas’, which was successfully demonstrated at Aero India 2025, it further stated.