Hindustan Aeronautics is set to roll out its first LCA Tejas Mk1 fighter jet from its production line in Nashik. The development comes months after heavy criticism from the Air Chief Marshal AP Singh for delays in the delivery timeline.
As per the Incred Equities report, HAL has set a hefty target of delivering 12 LCA Tejas Mk1 fighter aircraft by the end of this financial year. Three to four of the fighter jets are expected to be delivered from HAL’s production facility in Nashik.
The Nashik facility is the third production centre of Hindustan Aeronautics, as it has two in Bengaluru. It has the capacity to produce 8 fighter jets every year. The first fighter jet is expected to roll out from the manufacturing facility by the end of July.
What are the major roadblocks for HAL?
India’s Defence Ministry placed an order worth Rs 48,000 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics in February 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk1 jets for the Indian Air Force. However, the company missed the production targets.
HAL has attributed the failure to deliver the jets to the delay in engine supply from the American Aerospace giant, GE Aerospace. HAL ordered 99 jet engines from GE Aerospace in 2021 and some deliveries were planned for March 2023. However, HAL received only one jet engine during the above period, causing a major setback to its production and delivery plans.
According to HAL Chief DK Sunil, 6 Tejas fighter jets are waiting for engine delivery from GE Aerospace. In the meantime, the American aerospace company has committed delivery of 25 engines in FY25, 2 engines every month, starting from July.
HAL’s order books
While HAL prepares to meet its delivery targets, its order books keep soaring. According to the Incred Equities report, HAL’s orders have increased by 101 percent. One recent big order that Hal received from the Ministry of Defence is for Prachand Helicopters for the Indian Military.
As per the contract, HAL will deliver 156 Prachand combat helicopters for Rs 62,700 crore. The deliveries of the helicopters are expected to start from 2028.