LCA MK1A Flies Over New Production Line

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MK1A at HAL Nashik on Friday | Photo: Ministry of Defence

India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A achieved a significant milestone with the completion of its first flight from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility on Friday. The event, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also marked the inauguration of HAL’s third Tejas Mk1A production line and a new second production line for the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) basic trainer aircraft.

The defence minister flagged off the first Tejas Mk1A produced at Nashik and described the occasion as an important step in expanding India’s indigenous aircraft production capacity. “The flight of the state-of-the-art aircraft is a shining symbol of India’s growing Aatmanirbharta in defence,” he said, referring to India’s goal of increasing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with HAL personnel and LCA MK1A test personnel at HAL Nashik on Friday | Photo: Ministry of Defence

Expanding Tejas Production

The newly inaugurated third production line at Nashik is designed to increase the annual production rate of Tejas Mk1A aircraft from 16 to 24 units per year. HAL completed the new line in two years, equipping it with over 30 structure assembly jigs for major modules including the centre fuselage, front fuselage, rear fuselage, wings, and air intake.

The line will complement the two existing Tejas production facilities at HAL’s Bengaluru complex. With the addition of the Nashik line, HAL aims to meet the Indian Air Force’s growing demand for the Mk1A variant, which incorporates enhanced radar, avionics, electronic warfare systems, and maintainability improvements over the earlier Mk1 configuration.

In his remarks, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the transformation of India’s defence sector, noting that the country had shifted from being a major importer of military hardware to a growing manufacturer. “The country, which once imported 65–70 percent of critical military hardware, is now manufacturing 65% of the equipment on its own soil,” he said.

He added that the government’s focus since 2014 has been to reduce import dependency and promote indigenisation. “When we came to power in 2014, we realised that without self-reliance, we can never be truly secure. In the beginning, we faced numerous challenges, the biggest being ‘limited defence preparedness’ and ‘import dependency’. Everything was limited to Government enterprises, and the private sector had no significant participation in the production ecosystem,” he said.

“Whatever we used to buy from abroad, we are now manufacturing it domestically, be it fighter aircraft, missiles, engines and electronic warfare systems,” he added.

Linking Defence Production to Broader Industrial Growth

The minister noted that India’s defence production had grown from ₹46,429 crore in 2014–15 to over ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2024–25, while defence exports rose from less than ₹1,000 crore to ₹25,000 crore in the same period. “We have now set a target of increasing defence manufacturing to ₹3 lakh crore and exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2029,” he said.

He called on HAL and other defence manufacturers to adapt to emerging technologies shaping modern warfare, including artificial intelligence, cyber systems, drones, and autonomous aircraft. “India must always stay ahead in this new race, and not lag behind,” he said, urging HAL to extend its focus to next-generation aircraft, unmanned systems, and civil aviation.

HAL’s Role and Industry Collaboration

The Defence Minister described HAL as “the backbone of India’s defence sector,” noting the company’s continuing role in manufacturing, supporting, and upgrading the Su-30MKI fighter fleet and integrating the BrahMos missile. He cited HAL’s contribution during Operation Sindoor, a recent large-scale military operation, saying the company “provided support at various operational sites 24 hours a day during the operation. It ensured the Indian Air Force’s operational readiness by carrying out prompt maintenance on fighter jets and helicopters.”

He added, “The Nashik team performed the crucial task of installing the BrahMos missile on the Su-30, which destroyed terrorist hideouts during the operation. This proved that when it comes to national security, we can make our own equipment and protect ourselves with it.”

The HTT-40 at HAL Nashik on Friday | Photo: Ministry of Defence

HTT-40 Production Line

Alongside the Tejas expansion, HAL also inaugurated the second production line for the HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft, fully designed and developed by HAL for the Indian Air Force. The Nashik assembly complex includes structure assembly shops for manufacturing fuselages, wings, and control surfaces. The HTT-40 will replace the Indian Air Force’s older trainer aircraft and provide basic flight training for new pilots.

The Defence Minister said the HTT-40 and Tejas programmes represent “proof that if the government, industries, and academia work together, no challenge is too big.” The new HTT-40 production line is expected to accelerate deliveries of the trainer to the Air Force and enhance HAL’s overall aircraft output.

Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar said the inauguration “marks a new chapter in HAL’s journey, one that enhances our nation’s production capacity and strengthens the foundation of a robust, self-sustaining aerospace ecosystem.” He added that the Tejas and HTT-40 programmes together demonstrate India’s ability to design, develop, and produce complex defence platforms through domestic collaboration between HAL, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Indian Air Force.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. D.K. Sunil said the Nashik facility’s expansion had created around 1,000 jobs and supported the growth of 40 industry partners in and around the region. “HAL’s Nashik Division’s capacity to produce indigenous advanced fighters in addition to Su-30MKI has added momentum to our production efforts to meet delivery timelines,” he said.

Nashik’s Legacy

Established in 1964 for the licensed production of MiG-21 fighter aircraft, HAL’s Nashik Division has produced more than 900 aircraft and overhauled more than 1,900 military aircraft, including MiG-21, MiG-27, and Su-30MKI fighters. The facility has full aircraft design, manufacturing, and overhaul capabilities and continues to provide maintenance and upgrade support for the Su-30MKI fleet.

The division’s new role in producing the Tejas Mk1A and HTT-40 expands its mandate from servicing imported aircraft to building advanced indigenous systems.

HAL Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) Group Captain K.K. Venugopal (Retd) piloted the Tejas Mk1A sortie at the inauguration event, followed by aerial demonstrations by Su-30MKI and HTT-40 aircraft. The Tejas Mk1A also received a water cannon salute after landing, marking its formal induction at Nashik.