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SOURCE: AFI

Lakshmi Machine Works (LMW) has successfully delivered the first air intake assembly for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), marking a significant milestone in the indigenous production of the advanced fighter jet.

The delivery follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between HAL’s LCA Tejas Division and LMW on October 19, 2022, at DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Under the agreement, LMW is set to manufacture a total of 40 air intake assemblies for the LCA Tejas Mk1A, bolstering the indigenous supply chain for critical components of India’s indigenous fighter aircraft program.

The air intake assembly plays a vital role in ensuring optimal airflow to the engine, a key factor in maintaining high performance and efficiency. The component’s development required precision engineering to meet the specific aerodynamic requirements of the Tejas Mk1A.

HAL’s decision to partner with LMW—a company with a strong track record in high-precision engineering demonstrates the increasing role of private industry in India’s defense sector. By leveraging LMW’s expertise in complex machining and assembly, HAL has accelerated the production timeline for the LCA Tejas Mk1A, enhancing both scalability and quality. The air intake assemblies are crucial to meeting HAL’s planned deliveries for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has ordered 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft.

As the Tejas Mk1A heads into a critical production phase, HAL’s reliance on capable private-sector partners like LMW is expected to ensure the timely completion of the production targets, while aligning with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

The LCA Tejas Mk1A is an improved version of the LCA Mk1, incorporating numerous upgrades, such as an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, and air-to-air refueling capability. These enhancements make the Tejas Mk1A a versatile and competitive fighter platform in the lightweight category, fulfilling a wide range of mission profiles for the Indian Air Force.