In a milestone moment for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and India's defence manufacturing, the 4.5 generation multi-role fighter Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A took to the skies from the Nashik facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) on Friday.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed the maiden flight of Tejas Mk1A at the facility. The rollout of the fighter aircraft was marked by a traditional water cannon salute.
The aircraft was rolled out after the defence minister inaugurated the third production line of LCA Tejas Mk1A and a second manufacturing facility of trainer jet HTT-40. This is the first production line for the all-weather combat aircraft outside Bengaluru. The Nashik facility of the defence PSU was licensed to produce the Su-30MKI and MiG series fighter jets in the past.
With the opening of the third production unit, HAL is expected to produce at least 24 LCA aircraft annually.
Nonetheless, the induction of the aircraft into the IAF, which is facing a severe fighter squadron shortage, will be done only after the successful completion of weapon, radar, and fire control integration trials of the aircraft.
"There was a time when the country was dependent on other countries to meet its defence needs, and almost 65-70 per cent of defence equipment was imported," Singh said in his address.
"But today, this situation has changed; now India is doing 65 per cent manufacturing on its own soil," he said, adding, "Very soon, we will take our domestic manufacturing to 100 per cent as well."