HAL on Track to Deliver First Tejas Mk1A Next Month, Accelerating Production at Nashik Facility by Leveraging Decades of MiG and Sukhoi Experience

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to deliver its first domestically-produced Tejas Mk1A fighter jet to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of next month, marking a significant milestone in India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The aircraft is rolling out of HAL's Nashik Division, a facility with a long history of building and maintaining Russian-designed MiG and Sukhoi aircraft.

The Nashik facility, sometimes referred to as the "MiG Complex" due to its history, is playing a crucial role in the Tejas Mk1A program. Currently, three to four additional Tejas Mk1A airframes (the main body of the aircraft) are being assembled at the facility.

HAL's decades of experience in manufacturing and servicing MiG and Su-30 MKI fighters have provided the workforce with the skills needed for this advanced project.

An official stated to the press that the rapid progress on the first aircraft demonstrates the expertise of the Nashik team, highlighting the facility's key contribution to providing the improved Tejas Mk1A to the IAF.

Beyond the initial delivery, HAL is ramping up production. The company has two divisions in Bangalore dedicated to the Tejas program, which aim to produce a combined total of 16 aircraft per year.

Nashik will add another 5 to the total. HAL is confident it can build 20 Tejas Mk1A aircraft in the 2025-26 fiscal year, increasing to 25 in 2026-27, and reaching a production rate of 30 jets the year after.

The Tejas Mk1A is an improved version of the original Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the Mk1A incorporates improvements like an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, electronic warfare suite, and improved maintainability. These upgrades make it a more capable and effective fighter jet for the IAF.

While HAL is optimistic, certain challenges remain. Successfully increasing production requires smooth cooperation with numerous suppliers, including GE Aerospace, which provides the F404 engine for the Tejas. Previous delays in engine deliveries have impacted the program.

Additionally, the Nashik workforce, while highly experienced, is adapting to the Mk1A's construction, which uses lighter composite materials and more advanced electronics compared to the older MiG and Sukhoi designs.

Meeting these production targets is critical for the Indian Air Force's modernization plans. Any delays could impact the IAF's ability to replace its aging fleet of fighter aircraft. The timely delivery of the Tejas Mk1A is therefore a high priority for India's defence preparedness.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Place order with GE for F404 engines. Ask them to supply 36 engines per year for 6 years, apart from the existing orders for 83. We would need engines for 97 additional Mk1A jets and for engine replacement of older ones. They will also be useful for any NLCA or export orders.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Congrats HAL for the great work. Dolandji has ramped up the supply of GE404 engines, which were stopped by Democrat Bidenji.

 

[Somebody]

Place order with GE for F404 engines. Ask them to supply 36 engines per year for 6 years, apart from the existing orders for 83. We would need engines for 97 additional Mk1A jets and for engine replacement of older ones. They will also be useful for any NLCA or export orders.

We are going to make F404 locally, according to the latest news, which means Tejas MK1B will defenitely be there.

 

[VF VF1]

1. Introduce Indian companies into the GE-F404 IN20 supply chain, so that spare parts of the engine are also made by Indian companies for quick delivery and control.
2. Once you even have 2 engines delivered by GE, keep the practice going by loading and certifying Tejas Mk1A with this engine, and then remove the engine and keep the fighter without engine in reserve. This way, only the engine is the dependency, and the cycle of churning out new fighters keeps on moving with every jig of the manufacturing unit. GE becomes the scapegoat, and then you can ask for a greater % of its supply chain.