Nashik: In a major relief for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the first Tejas-Mk1A fighter aircraft produced at the Nashik complex of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) completed its maiden flight on Friday.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh formally inaugurated the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and HTT-40 (trainer aircraft) assembly complexes at Nashik after which the advanced jet fighter and piston-engine trainer aircraft were wheeled out.
The formal induction of Tejas-Mk1A into the IAF will depend on the successful completion of ongoing weapon and radar integration trials.
With this inauguration, Nashik now hosts the third LCA production line and the second HTT-40 production line of HAL. The rollout event, which included a traditional water cannon salute, comes even as HAL races to meet Tejas-Mk1A delivery timelines for the IAF
While the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, short-range missiles, and laser-guided bombs have been integrated with the aircraft, trials are awaited. The pre-induction tests will also validate integration with the Israeli-origin ELTA ELM-2052 radar and fire-control system. Initial tests had encountered software-related snags, prompting modifications before final validation.
The production line in Nashik can produce up to eight aircraft annually. The PSU has also developed a parallel private-sector supply chain — VEM Technologies (centre fuselage), Alpha (rear fuselage), and L&T (wings) — to support an additional six aircraft each year. Once stabilised, this ecosystem is projected to enable annual production of 30 fighters from 2026-27.
Delays in the delivery of 99 GE F404 engines from the US has severely affected the project. This contract with GE was inked in Aug 2021 for Rs 5,375 crore. Only four engines have been received so far. GE has assured the supply of eight more engines by March 2026 and around 20 engines per year thereafter.
HAL claims that it has managed to keep production moving by rotating available engines for test flights. The initial order for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, cleared in 2021, was to be delivered between 2024 and 2028. In Aug 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved an additional 97 Mk1A fighters for Rs 66,500 crore, taking the total order to 180 aircraft
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh has repeatedly flagged the urgency of new inductions, saying the IAF is “very badly off in numbers” and needs at least 40 fighters a year to sustain combat readiness. HAL officials have said they are confident of meeting this requirement once the production ecosystem stabilises and integration issues are resolved.
After inaugurating the project, Rajnath Singh stated that HAL’s model would serve as a benchmark for other industries. Singh congratulated the entire HAL family for their efforts in building a sustainable township.
“The entire world is talking about saving the environment. In this era, HAL has set an example through this township. I believe that HAL’s model will now become a benchmark for other industries… This township will teach the entire city that sustainable development is not contrary to each other but complementary, so I congratulate the entire HAL family…” Singh said.
