SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) achieved another milestone in India’s indigenous defense aviation program with the rollout of the 7th Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A jet, bearing the serial number LA-5039, on March 25, 2025. This development comes just over a year after the first Tejas Mk1A aircraft, serial number LA-5033, conducted its inaugural flight, highlighting the impressive pace at which HAL is manufacturing these advanced fighter jets despite challenges such as engine delivery delays.
At Aero India 2025, held earlier this year, HAL showcased five fully assembled Tejas Mk1A aircraft that were ready for delivery to the IAF, signaling the company’s readiness to scale up production. The rollout of the 7th jet, LA-5039, within a year of the first flight of LA-5033, underscores HAL’s accelerated manufacturing capabilities. This achievement is particularly notable given the delays in engine supplies, a challenge that HAL has navigated with commendable efficiency.
In addition to the Tejas Mk1A jets, HAL has also been manufacturing Tejas Trainer variants, which are used to train IAF pilots for operational missions. This dual production effort highlights HAL’s ability to manage multiple streams of the Tejas program simultaneously, further strengthening India’s defense ecosystem.
Looking ahead, HAL’s Nashik facility is set to roll out its first Tejas Mk1A jet next month, marking another step in decentralizing and scaling up production. The Nashik plant’s involvement is expected to enhance HAL’s overall output, ensuring that the IAF receives its full complement of Tejas Mk1A aircraft on schedule. The IAF has placed an order for 83 Tejas Mk1A jets under a ?48,000 crore contract signed in 2021, with plans for additional orders in the future.
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