SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently decided against the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) proposal to involve private sector companies in manufacturing the Tejas MkII fighter jets, citing cost efficiency and optimized utilization of current production facilities. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace and defence company, has been designated as the primary manufacturer of the Tejas MkII, ensuring continuity in production and avoiding unnecessary expenditure.
HAL, which is currently leading the Tejas Mk1A production line with an order of 83 jets for the IAF, is expected to secure an additional 97 orders for the Tejas Mk1A variant. This expansion of orders could keep the Mk1A production line operational until 2032, a notable extension beyond the previously planned 2028 deadline. This shift allows HAL to continue fulfilling Mk1A orders, even as the MkII production line gradually ramps up.
To meet future demand for the Tejas MkII without disrupting the Mk1A production line, HAL has committed to a phased transition plan. By 2029, HAL plans to convert one of its production lines at the Nashik facility into a dedicated MkII production line. This line will initially start with a capacity to produce four MkII jets annually, which will later be expanded to eight as demand rises.
Two production lines in Bangalore, currently producing Mk1A jets, will progressively transition to MkII production starting in 2031 and completing the shift by 2033. This approach allows HAL to meet existing Mk1A orders while gradually increasing MkII output to avoid any production gaps or delivery delays.
The MoD’s decision to concentrate Tejas MkII production within HAL comes from a cost-benefit perspective. Shifting some manufacturing responsibilities to private sector companies would involve substantial additional expenses to set up parallel production lines. Furthermore, such a move would risk idling HAL’s facilities, which have been upgraded specifically for the Tejas program.
With HAL’s strategic plan to gradually shift from Mk1A to MkII production, the IAF can be assured that both variants will be produced on schedule. This transition will support the IAF’s growing fleet requirements while balancing the operational demands for both current and advanced Tejas models.
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