SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to achieve a significant milestone in its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program, as its Nashik plant prepares to roll out the first Tejas MK1A from its newly established third production line. According to the latest updates, this rollout is expected by late April 2025, slightly delayed from the originally anticipated timeline of March 2025. The development underscores HAL’s ongoing efforts to enhance production capacity and meet the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) growing demands for advanced indigenous fighter jets.
Sources indicate that the first Tejas MK1A from this production line is nearing completion, with final assembly and testing phases well underway. The aircraft is projected to be fully ready by the end of April 2025, marking a pivotal moment for HAL’s Nashik facility, which has emerged as a key hub in the Tejas manufacturing ecosystem. While the rollout was initially slated for late March, minor adjustments in the production schedule have pushed the timeline by a month, reflecting the complexity of integrating advanced systems into the MK1A variant.
The establishment of the third production line at Nashik is a strategic move by HAL to ramp up output and address delivery timelines more effectively. With two existing lines already operational—one at Bengaluru and another at Nashik—the addition of this third facility is expected to boost the annual production rate of Tejas aircraft. This expansion comes in response to the IAF’s order for 83 Tejas MK1A jets, signed in 2021, as part of a ?48,000 crore deal, alongside plans for further orders in the future.
While the slight delay from March to April has drawn attention, industry observers note that such adjustments are not uncommon in aerospace manufacturing, given the rigorous testing and quality assurance processes involved. HAL has assured stakeholders that the first Tejas MK1A will meet all operational specifications, paving the way for subsequent deliveries to accelerate as the third line stabilizes.
The Tejas MK1A is an upgraded version of the baseline MK1, featuring significant enhancements such as an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, improved electronic warfare capabilities, and mid-air refueling provisions. These upgrades make it a more versatile and potent platform, aligning with the IAF’s operational requirements for a modern lightweight fighter.
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