After Dr. D K Sunil resigned on Friday, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) named Kota Ravi as its 22nd Chairman and Managing Director.
Ravi has more than 30 years of experience in a variety of fields, including electronics, manufacturing, and A&D. He led strategic planning and was instrumental in obtaining the company's Maharatna classification while serving as Director (Operations) at HAL prior to his current position.
Ravi is credited with spearheading HAL's worldwide aspirations and turning it into a competitive aerospace and defence company powered by people, innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and operational excellence.
Profile of Kota Ravi

Ravi is a graduate of IIM Ahmedabad, IAS, Toulouse, France, and Malnad College of Engineering, Karnataka, with a degree in mechanical engineering.He serves as a Nominee Director on the board of Multi-Role Transport Aircraft Ltd. in addition to his leadership position at HAL.
He has held important leadership positions, including as Executive Director (Corporate Planning) and General Manager of the LCA T ejas Division. He had signed a number of significant contracts with HAL, such as the following:

• Provision of 156 LCH Prachand to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force,
• Operationalisation of the LCA Tejas fleet in the IAF
• 180 LCA Tejas to the Indian Air Force

He developed a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for prompt customer service, improved fleet serviceability, and established smooth data connectivity with IAF bases. Ravi's initiatives have expanded HAL's market footprint and created new revenue streams by diversifying the company into MRO and civil manufacturing.According to a regulatory filing from HAL, "Ravi has been a driving force in strengthening indigenous capabilities within the LCA Tejas program by increasing local content and expanding production capacity in Nasik."
Developing a strong manufacturing ecosystem by contracting out large fuselage assembly to private sector companies is another way that Ravi has contributed to HAL's success. Through continuous deliveries, the privatisation plan is finally producing noticeable outcomes.