HAL to Outsource Tejas Mk1A Fuselage Assembly to Private Sector, Boosting Production to Achieve 30 Jets Annually by 2027

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is undertaking a significant initiative to increase the production rate of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, aiming for an ambitious 30 aircraft per year by 2027.

In a statement released on February 18, 2025, HAL Chairman DK Sunil said that the company is engaging private sector firms to provide fully assembled fuselages, complete with internal components, to streamline the final assembly process.

To achieve this increased production rate, HAL is strategically outsourcing the construction of complete fuselages to private sector companies. Traditionally, HAL, along with a network of over 270 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), has managed the production of key aircraft components, including the front, center, and rear fuselages, and wings.

The new strategy involves private companies delivering fuselages that are already assembled with their internal components. This significantly reduces the workload and time needed during final assembly, enabling HAL to concentrate on integrating crucial systems like avionics, weapons, and engines.

Industry reports, along with social media posts, indicate that companies such as Dynamatic Technologies, Tata Advanced Materials Ltd., and L&T are likely to be key players in this initiative, building on their existing contributions to the Tejas supply chain.

By receiving fuselages with pre-installed structural internals, HAL can potentially reduce the overall assembly time by weeks or even months. This modular approach mirrors the practices of global aerospace giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which utilize tiered supplier networks for sub-assemblies to enhance both scalability and production flexibility.

This outsourcing strategy is a direct response to the need to accelerate the final assembly line (FAL) process, a known bottleneck in HAL's production. The Tejas Mk1A requires the precise integration of sophisticated systems, including the ELTA ELM-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, electronic warfare suites, and advanced weapon systems like the Astra Mk1 and ASRAAM missiles.

Delays in assembly, as illustrated by the recent postponement of the first Mk1A delivery to November 2024 (originally slated for February 2024) due to engine supply and development issues, can significantly impact delivery schedules.

By transferring a portion of the initial assembly work to private partners, HAL can dedicate more resources to critical tasks such as flight testing, quality control, and certification. This also mitigates the risk of production interruptions due to supply chain disruptions, such as the ongoing delays in deliveries of GE F404 engines.

Chairman DK Sunil stated that once the fuselage supply chain is stable, HAL is confident in reaching the target of 30 jets per year, accelerating the delivery of aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

However achieving the target of 30 aircraft annually by 2027 presents significant challenges. Engine availability remains a critical factor, with GE Aerospace facing difficulties in meeting demand due to global supply chain constraints.

News reports and social media posts indicate that while HAL has three Tejas Mk1A aircraft prepared for flight testing, with five more and four trainers anticipated by March-April 2025, the finalization of these aircraft hinges on timely engine deliveries. HAL is relying on GE's commitment to resume supplies from March 2025 to meet its production goals.

Further it is also essential for private sector partners to expand their production capabilities to align with HAL's requirements. The current supplier network, while well-established, needs to invest in advanced machinery, workforce training, and robust quality control processes to ensure the timely delivery of complex assemblies like fuselages, meeting stringent specifications.

However, this presents a valuable opportunity for growth within India's defence industry, fostering job creation, driving innovation, and reducing dependence on international suppliers. The successful implementation of this strategy could serve as a model for future defence production projects in India.

 

[sanket]

Nice, I have 100 times said GE needs to ramp-up production rate of engine to beyond 30, while assembling 30 airframes doesn't mean all will be delivered. GE too has to supply 30 engines per year; that's why I have been saying from now onwards GE needs to start ramping up production. My guess is GE, by 2026, will have max 16 engines per year, while from 2027, 20 to 24 engines per year production rate. Question is, how many engines are going to be shipped by GE Aviation in the first lot? If 3 Tejas MK1A & 5 are being ready, GE has to match & fulfill the backlog.

 

[ryan]

HAL is not doing any value addition. If everything is outsourced to pvt sector companies, the FAL can be owned by Tata & simultaneously Mahindra / L&T. HAL needs to be gradually killed off for Hindustan's aerospace growth. It's the biggest bottleneck. 1A must be the last assembly by HAL. Mk2 onwards, every line has to be pvt owned like the West.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

If you are targeting 30 aircrafts per year by 2027 you should start production planning by now so that there is adequate time for private sector partners to produce the required numbers of sub assemblies. Only time will tell if it becomes a reality, hopefully it will after the IAF chief's public bashing. Let's see whether HAL will transform itself from it's snail pace progress.

 

[Sandeep]

Just setting up production lines isn’t going to help. Currently HAL is underutilising their existing production lines and aren’t using it to the maximum capacity that it has.

HAL needs to outsource a lot more work to the private sector so that HAL just needs to worry about assembling them and certifying the technology, equipment and weapons.

 

[Mithu]

Don't worry about GEs capabilities to deliver engines, they are the best in the business and not like Hal.Their worst vendor will be better than our best best Indian company in terms of process design and operation

 

[Yogindra]

HAL is not doing any value addition. If everything is outsourced to pvt sector companies, the FAL can be owned by Tata & simultaneously Mahindra / L&T. HAL needs to be gradually killed off for Hindustan's aerospace growth. It's the biggest bottleneck. 1A must be the last assembly by HAL. Mk2 onwards, every line has to be pvt owned like the West.

It looks like comments are made without having knowledge on aircraft production. Why comments against HAL. Tata, Mahindra and L&T can not build aircraft overnight. These companies are not having required skills as that of HAL. Every Indian should be proud of HAL serving Defence Forces during last 8 decades. Instead of critising HAL, provide some concrete suggestion for improvement.

 

[sanjivag]

It looks like comments are made without having knowledge on aircraft production. Why comments against HAL. Tata, Mahindra and L&T can not build aircraft overnight. These companies are not having required skills as that of HAL. Every Indian should be proud of HAL serving Defence Forces during last 8 decades. Instead of critising HAL, provide some concrete suggestion for improvement.

Every Indian is ashamed, not proud, of HAL. What the IAF chief recently said is echoing of every Indian's seething anger against this anti-national elephant who is just worried about it's workload not going to the efficient private companies rather than the impending danger from enemies.

 

[Andy13]

Don't worry about GEs capabilities to deliver engines, they are the best in the business and not like Hal.Their worst vendor will be better than our best best Indian company in terms of process design and operation

That we can see.

 

[muthyms]

Tata is already supplying fuselage for Apache 64 helicopters, so they have some experience already regarding smaller fuselages. Will that not be help them to enter into building fuselages for Tejas? Of course, I am not knowledgeable in these matters except to know about things.

 

[HARISHCHANDRA]

Since 1940 HAL is serving to our nation (back bone of Indian airforce) We should be proud that there are a few companies producing and maintaining fighter planes. So many technical reasons delayed lca project. R&D itself taken so much long time and dependency of imported parts is a major reasons. Most of the electronic equipments supplied by Ukraine and Russia. One should understand such reasons. Manufacturing is not a simple process as compared to automobiles. In a fighter aircraft strict guidelines regarding quality and safety should be followed.