On October 17, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), completed its maiden flight in Nashik in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. On the occasion, the Defence Minister also inaugurated HAL’s third production line for the LCA Mk1A, along with the second production line for the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) — an indigenous basic trainer aircraft developed for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The first two LCA production lines and the first HTT-40 production line are located in Bengaluru. HAL established the new Nashik line to accelerate delivery of Tejas jets to the IAF. The facility has a manufacturing capacity of eight aircraft per year, raising the overall production potential to 24 LCA Mk1A aircraft annually. The new line has also created around 1,000 jobs and supported over 40 industry partners across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
Capacity Expansion and Export Prospects
HAL plans to further enhance its Nashik capacity to 10 aircraft per year within two years, supported by an additional assembly jig line, tooling setup, and pre-installation check systems for line-replaceable units. With increased production, the company will not only speed up IAF deliveries but also pursue export opportunities for the LCA Tejas to partner nations.
Indigenous HTT-40 Trainer Strengthens Defence Manufacturing
Designed and developed with HAL’s own funding, the HTT-40 meets IAF’s training requirements and first flew in May 2016, followed by a second prototype in 2017. The project plays a vital role in boosting domestic defence manufacturing and employment, generating about 1,500 direct jobs at HAL and around 3,000 indirect opportunities through more than 100 MSME partners.
The IAF retains an option to procure an additional 36 HTT-40 aircraft. HAL highlighted that, as an affordable and fully indigenous trainer, the HTT-40 is also well-suited for export to nations with similar training demands. A fly-past by the Su-30 MKI and a formation flight of the HTT-40 marked the event.
