India Strengthens Defence Manufacturing: HAL Receives First Tejas Mk1A Wing Assemblies from L&T

India’s ambition for self-reliance in defence manufacturing took a significant leap as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) received the first set of wing assemblies for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A from Larsen & Toubro (L&T). This crucial milestone, celebrated at L&T’s Precision Manufacturing & Systems Complex in Coimbatore, marks a historic moment in India’s journey toward building a robust indigenous fighter aircraft ecosystem, integrating both state-run and private sector capabilities.

In his address, the Secretary (Defence Production) commended the efforts of HAL and L&T towards achieving self-reliance | Money Control

L&T’s Delivery: A Landmark Achievement for Private Sector Participation

The event was overseen by Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, who virtually handed over the assemblies to HAL’s LCA Tejas Division General Manager, M Abdul Salam. Kumar emphasized the importance of such partnerships under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision, affirming that involving private sector players in the defence manufacturing pipeline would not only boost production rates but also elevate technical capabilities across the industry.

HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, C.B. Ananthakrishnan, expressed pride in this achievement, crediting years of collaboration and technical mentoring between HAL and L&T. This collaboration now enables the private sector to contribute directly to the assembly line of a modern fourth-generation fighter jet. HAL further noted that the handover from L&T is ahead of schedule—a rare feat in defence manufacturing.

Tejas Mk1A: A Modern Fighter Tailored for the Indian Air Force

The LCA Tejas Mk1A is a significantly upgraded version of the Tejas Mk1. It comes with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile capability, a self-protection Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, and mid-air refueling capacity. These enhancements are designed to improve combat performance and maintainability, making it a more agile and versatile aircraft for frontline roles.

A total of 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft have been ordered by the Indian Air Force under a ₹48,000 crore contract signed in 2021. Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to ramp up later this year, with HAL targeting the handover of at least 12 Mk1A jets in 2025.

Scaling Production: A Widening Ecosystem of Indigenous Suppliers

L&T will initially deliver four wing sets per year, with plans to scale up production to 12 annually through advanced automation and assembly processes. The Coimbatore facility, equipped with robotic systems and precision tools, is now one of the key contributors to the Tejas Mk1A programme.

The broader supply chain is also gaining momentum. HAL has partnered with various Indian firms for different Tejas modules: Tata Advanced Systems is producing fin and rudder units, Alpha Tocol is supplying rear fuselage sections, Lakshmi Machine Works is contributing air intake units, and Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies has already delivered the centre fuselage module. This diversified model ensures that several Indian firms are not only part of the value chain but are also building critical components with high precision.

Engine Deliveries and Global Partnerships

Powering the Tejas Mk1A is the American-made GE F404-IN20 engine. India received its second engine earlier this year, with the remaining units in the pipeline under a $716 million deal. GE is expected to deliver two engines per month until early 2026. These deliveries are crucial for HAL to meet its production timeline and provide the Indian Air Force with the required aircraft on schedule.

The partnership with GE also includes discussions for co-production of engines in India, further reinforcing India’s plans for deeper localisation and eventual technology transfer in strategic sectors.

Controversy over Radar Selection: Indigenous vs Imported Tech

While India has made great strides in indigenous technology, HAL has recently opted to fit the last batch of Tejas Mk1A jets with imported Israeli ELTA AESA radars and EW systems instead of DRDO’s Uttam radar. The decision, attributed to certification delays and performance stability concerns, has sparked debate over the reliance on foreign systems for critical components. Many defence experts argue that while short-term efficiency may justify the move, India must stay committed to long-term self-sufficiency.

Infrastructure and Political Oversight

Production is being executed across HAL facilities in Bengaluru, Nashik, and Hyderabad. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary, P.K. Mishra visited HAL’s Bengaluru division to review the progress on six Tejas Mk1A aircraft currently under production, along with two trainer versions. The visit underscored the political will behind accelerating indigenous defence projects and ensuring accountability within HAL’s timelines.

Stock Market Response and Economic Implications

The stock market responded positively to the developments. HAL’s shares witnessed an uptick following the announcement, signaling strong investor confidence in the expanding defence sector and HAL’s growing production capabilities. The move also reflects broader optimism around the ‘Make in India’ push, as defence manufacturing emerges as a crucial pillar of India’s economic and strategic future.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Indian Aerospace

The successful delivery of Tejas Mk1A wing assemblies by L&T to HAL marks not just a logistical achievement, but a strategic turning point in India’s aerospace history. It represents the coming of age of India’s private sector in contributing to high-end defence systems, traditionally monopolized by state-run enterprises. While challenges like radar procurement and engine dependency persist, the growing synergy between government, public sector, and private players shows promise.

As India continues to assert its sovereignty through indigenous defence development, the LCA Tejas Mk1A programme stands as a proud symbol of resilience, innovation, and collaboration. It is a testament to what India can achieve when ambition meets execution.

(Sources: OpIndia, Financial Express, Money Control)