Rajnath Singh Inaugurates 3rd Production Line of Tejas Mk1A and 2nd Line of HTT-40 at HAL Nashik

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday inaugurated the third production line of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A and the second production line of the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility. He also flagged off the first Tejas Mk1A aircraft built at the plant, marking a major milestone in India’s drive toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

In his address, the Defence Minister described the flight of the indigenously built Tejas Mk1A as a shining example of India’s growing Aatmanirbharta in defence. Highlighting the transformation of the sector over the past decade, Singh said that India, which once imported nearly 70 per cent of its critical military hardware, now manufactures 65 per cent of its equipment domestically. He reiterated the government’s determination to raise this figure to 100 per cent in the years to come.

“When we came to power in 2014, we realised that without self-reliance, we can never be truly secure,” Singh said, recalling that the defence sector at that time suffered from limited preparedness and heavy import dependency. “Everything was confined to government enterprises, with little private sector participation and minimal innovation. This forced us to depend on other countries for critical systems, which increased costs and created strategic vulnerabilities. But this challenge pushed us toward reform and self-reliance, and today, we are building at home what we once imported — from fighter aircraft and missiles to engines and electronic warfare systems,” he added.

The Defence Minister noted that annual defence production, valued at ₹46,429 crore in 2014-15, has now reached a record of over ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2024-25, while exports have surged from less than ₹1,000 crore to ₹25,000 crore. The government has now set an ambitious goal to achieve ₹3 lakh crore in defence manufacturing and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029.

Speaking about the evolving nature of modern warfare, Singh said that technologies like artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, drones and next-generation aircraft are reshaping the battlefield. He urged HAL to stay ahead in this race and to make its mark in next-generation platforms, unmanned systems and civil aviation, rather than limiting itself to current projects like the Tejas and HTT-40. He also commended HAL’s critical role in ensuring the operational readiness of the Indian Air Force (IAF) during Operation Sindoor, where its Nashik team installed BrahMos missiles on Su-30 aircraft that destroyed terrorist hideouts.

Rajnath Singh lauded the Nashik division of HAL for being a key pillar of India’s aerospace development over the past six decades, transforming from the manufacturing base of MiG-21s and MiG-27s to becoming the production hub of the Su-30MKI and now the Tejas Mk1A and HTT-40. He said this journey reflects India’s technological and industrial growth in defence.

Following the inauguration of the new production lines, India’s manufacturing capability for both aircraft has received a major boost. HAL’s total annual capacity for the Tejas Mk1A has now increased from 16 to 24 aircraft per year, as the Nashik line adds the ability to produce around eight additional fighters annually. The Bengaluru facilities, which previously handled all Tejas production, will continue to focus on deliveries to the Indian Air Force, while the Nashik line will accelerate output to meet upcoming commitments. HAL is also planning to gradually scale production to about 30 Tejas Mk1A fighters per year by 2027 through greater private-sector involvement and improved component outsourcing.

The HTT-40 trainer program has similarly gained momentum. With the second production line inaugurated at Nashik, HAL is now positioned to deliver about 12 HTT-40 trainers in the current financial year, with output expected to increase to around 20 aircraft annually from 2026 onwards. The company has an order for 70 HTT-40s, which will be produced and delivered over the next six years. The Nashik division will handle most of this production, while the Bengaluru unit will focus on initial training and testing aircraft.

Both programs are supported by a large network of Indian industry partners and MSMEs, contributing to the government’s goal of building a resilient aerospace ecosystem. However, engine supply remains a critical factor. The Tejas Mk1A relies on General Electric’s F404-IN20 engines, and delivery schedules from the US are key to maintaining full-rate production. Similarly, the HTT-40’s TPE331-12B engines from Honeywell have faced delivery delays, though efforts are underway to stabilise the supply chain.

Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, who attended the ceremony, said that the inauguration of the two lines was a symbol of India’s growing technological confidence and strategic foresight. He described the LCA Tejas Mk1A as more than just a fighter aircraft — a statement of India’s design and manufacturing excellence — and the HTT-40 as proof of HAL’s ability to conceptualise and deliver a fully indigenous defence platform. HAL CMD Dr. D.K. Sunil added that the Nashik expansion has already created around 1,000 new jobs and supported over 40 partner industries in the region.

HAL Chief Test Pilot (Fixed Wing) Group Captain K.K. Venugopal (Retd) flew the first Tejas Mk1A sortie from the new facility, followed by an impressive aerial display by Su-30MKIs and HTT-40s. The Tejas Mk1A received a traditional water cannon salute, symbolising a new era in India’s aviation industry.

With the new lines operational, HAL’s annual output of 24 Tejas Mk1A fighters and 20 HTT-40 trainers will significantly strengthen India’s airpower and training infrastructure. More importantly, it demonstrates that India’s aerospace sector, once dependent on foreign suppliers, is now capable of designing, developing and producing world-class aircraft on its own soil. The Nashik facility stands as a proud testament to this transformation — representing not just industrial expansion, but the flight of a self-reliant nation.