Nashik: In a landmark event for India’s defense sector, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday flagged off the first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Nashik, Maharashtra. The occasion also marked the inauguration of HAL’s third Tejas Mk1A production line and the second production line for the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40), signaling a significant expansion in India’s indigenous aviation capabilities.
The maiden sortie of the Tejas Mk1A was piloted by Group Captain KK Venugopal (Retd.), HAL’s chief test pilot for fixed-wing aircraft. Following the flight, spectators were treated to spectacular aerial displays by Sukhoi-30MKI and HTT-40 aircraft. The Tejas Mk1A received a ceremonial water cannon salute, underscoring its symbolic and operational significance.
Speaking after the flight, Group Captain Venugopal described the Tejas Mk1A as a state-of-the-art fighter jet equipped with next-generation technology. “The radar is new-generation, the avionics are highly capable, and the Astra missile is fully integrated. We will also be incorporating standoff weapons. Because of all this, the LCA is an extremely capable platform,” he said.
Highlighting the aircraft’s potential to transform the Indian Air Force (IAF), Venugopal noted, “With the retirement of the MiG-21, the IAF will operate nearly 220 Tejas jets, making this aircraft a mainstay in India’s fighter fleet. It is expected to be a game-changer in operational capability.”
HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil emphasized that the inauguration of the third Tejas Mk1A production line would accelerate aircraft deliveries to the IAF. “With three production lines and support from private partners supplying components, we can deliver 24 Tejas jets every year. This is a proud moment for HAL and for India’s defense industry,” he said.
Sunil also underscored that the Tejas is entirely indigenously developed, both in hardware and software. “This allows us to customize the aircraft according to operational requirements without relying on foreign technology. It is a true multirole fighter, capable of engaging land, air, and sea threats, with impressive payload capacity relative to its size,” he explained.
Addressing the gathering, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described the flight of the Tejas Mk1A as a shining example of India’s growing Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defense. He recalled the challenges faced in 2014, citing limited defense preparedness, heavy import dependence, and minimal private-sector participation. “We were forced to depend on other countries for critical equipment and advanced systems, increasing costs and strategic vulnerabilities. Today, the progress we see is the result of reforms, innovation, and new thinking,” he said.
The HAL CMD highlighted the Nashik facility’s ability to produce advanced indigenous fighters alongside Sukhoi-30MKIs, emphasizing that this expansion enhances production timelines and supports the IAF’s modernization plans. The operationalization of both the Tejas Mk1A and HTT-40 lines demonstrates HAL’s growing capacity to deliver cutting-edge aviation solutions domestically.
The day concluded on a high note as the Tejas Mk1A soared over Nashik, embodying India’s ambitions for a self-reliant, technologically advanced defense ecosystem, and marking a new chapter in the country’s indigenous fighter aircraft program.