After 16-Month Delay, HAL's Nashik Facility Prepares for Tejas Mk-1A Maiden Flight by Mid-July 2025, Delivery to IAF Expected by August

In a significant development for India's indigenous defence sector, the first Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) new Nashik production line is scheduled for its inaugural flight by mid-July 2025.

Following this crucial test, the initial delivery of the advanced aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) is anticipated by August 2025, marking a key milestone after a 16-month delay.

The Tejas Mk-1A is a more lethal and technologically advanced version of the original Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). As a central element of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) policy, it is designed to be the backbone of the IAF's modern combat fleet.

The aircraft is classified as a 4.5-generation fighter, featuring significant upgrades such as an indigenous 'Uttam' Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a sophisticated electronic warfare suite for enhanced survivability, and the capability to fire beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles.

These enhancements provide pilots with superior situational awareness and combat effectiveness.

To accelerate production, HAL established the state-of-the-art facility in Nashik, Maharashtra, as a second dedicated production line for the Tejas, complementing its primary facility in Bengaluru.

This expansion is critical to fulfilling a landmark contract valued at approximately ₹48,000 crore, which was signed in February 2021 for the supply of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets to the IAF. The new line is integrated with modern automation and precision-tooling to streamline manufacturing.

The program, which is vital for replacing the IAF's aging MiG-21 squadrons, faced a setback of 16 months due to global supply chain disruptions following the COVID-19 pandemic and technical hurdles in integrating the new advanced systems. HAL officials have confirmed that these initial challenges have been overcome.

The Nashik facility is projected to produce up to eight aircraft annually, which, combined with the Bengaluru line's capacity, will significantly boost the delivery rate and help ensure the IAF maintains its operational readiness.

 

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[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

Congratulations to HAL, IAF, MoD, GOI and above all we the people of Republic of India. Not all countries have indigenous capability to have their own fighter jets. India has become the one in few countries to have one. This is purely because of the dedicated technological mindset across all division dedicated hard work and a vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat above that a strong sustained and encouraging vision of GOI the leadership of GOI across broad spectrum and will to flush the required funds without any constraints has achieved this feet. Come what may the negative narrative be about the Make in India concept, the Atmanirbhar vision but the beast of the sky our own Tejas Mk1 has negated and dismissed the narrative. When fully functional and along with his own brothers in the same fleet this giant will be an asset to be honored and fell proud off for India. Make no mistake this fighter will be a devastating force to tackle with when on mission. When the will is strong the vision is clear no obstacles will halt the progress. The plot of delay for what ever the reasons from GE engines did not shatter the thirst and will to make dream of Tejas into reality. Blessing in disguise was the delay gave us the path to rethink our own Kaveri engine made us realize that if you want to achieve something big you should not rely on others, my heartiest wishes to Kaveri which is on the verge of giving good news to India. Lets hope that we will get sustained and as promised timely engine deliveries from GE to achieve greater success with our own Tejas the pride of India.

Jai Hind

 

[AJS]

More delay. Engines from GE already arrived 3 months ago. As the IAF chief said in his humiliating public firing of HAL, the aircraft was not ready regardless of delay in receipt of engines. Then after the engines came HAL said delivery would occur in April, now it has become August. Heaven help us with such a 3rd rate work culture.