Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is planning to increase the annual production of the LCA Tejas Mk1A to 30 aircraft, even as US engine supplier GE Aerospace has assured the company that it will supply 20 to 22 engines every year.
Speaking to a YouTube channel, Zone Victor Aerospace & Defence, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K. said the company has significantly expanded its manufacturing capacity by setting up multiple production facilities for the Tejas programme.
"It was very important to increase the production capacity, and so the Nashik production line of LCA Tejas has started," he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had inaugurated the third production line for the LCA Tejas Mk1A and the second production line for the HTT-40 trainer aircraft at HAL's Nashik facility in October.
According to Ravi, HAL has already increased the annual production capacity of the Tejas to 24 aircraft through multiple production lines. He added that another production line has been established with private vendors, where complete aircraft structures are being manufactured.
"The yearly production will be increased to 30 in the near future," he said.
Acknowledging that engine supplies had affected deliveries, the HAL chief said HAL had faced major challenges in receiving engines from GE Aerospace.
"We had tremendous challenges in getting the engines from the supplier (GE Aerospace). Their suppliers also had difficulties in some of the components. But they have assured that all their difficulties have been resolved," he said.
He added that GE has committed to supplying 20 to 22 engines this year, which would allow HAL to quickly complete aircraft that are already assembled.
"We already have more than 20 airframes ready. Once engines come in, we just fit the engines, do the trial runs and submit the aircraft," he said.
With just a handful of engines delivered so far, the long delays have been affecting the supply of the aircraft to the IAF. The assurance of increased production by the DPSU on the back of improved engine supplies is expected to boost the deliveries of the LCA Tejas Mk1A to the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is looking to replenish its depleting fighter fleet. The IAF's squadron strength has fallen to around 31 against the sanctioned 42 squadrons.
He also acknowledged that indigenous programmes come with their own challenges but said HAL had overcome many of them.
"Challenges are good. We were able to overcome many of them and delivered the aircraft," he said.
