The multi-role Tejas MK1A rollout is expected by late April 2025, delayed from the anticipated timeline of March 2025 by two weeks. | X/@NewsIADN
Mumbai: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to achieve a significant milestone in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program, with its Nashik plant preparing to roll out the first Tejas MK1A from its newly established third production line. The multi-role Tejas MK1A rollout is expected by late April 2025, delayed from the anticipated timeline of March 2025 by two weeks.
The LCA Mark 1A project has been hit by delays due to supply chain issues faced by the supplier, GE of the US, and the severely declining squadron strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The FPJ had, last December, extensively reported the significant reduction in the IAF fleet from the sanctioned 42 squadrons to 31 squadrons due to the aging fighter jets, comprising Mirage 2000, MiG-29, and Jaguar jets, causing significantly reduced air supremacy to fight the growing geopolitical tensions on the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangla borders.
The existing two production lines—one at Bengaluru and another at Nashik—have been strengthened with the establishment of the third strategic production line at the Nashik facility. HAL engineers are confident that the first Tejas MK1A will be ready for delivery by mid-April.
While the two existing lines are already operational—one at Bengaluru and another at Nashik—the third assembly line has received a major boost with the installation of a robotic drilling machine by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), dramatically accelerating the production of wings for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program. “The robotic drill assembly line has reduced the time required to drill each hole in the wings from 25-35 minutes to just one minute, enhancing efficiency and supporting the accelerated production of the LCA-Tejas Mk1A variant,” explained a senior HAL engineer, adding that each wing of the LCA-Tejas requires approximately 8,000 holes to be drilled for assembly, fastening, and integration with other airframe components.
“Manual drilling took between 25 and 35 minutes per hole, depending on the material, location, and tolerances required, consuming thousands of hours for a single aircraft and creating a bottleneck in HAL’s production timeline. This was a major hurdle in ramping up delivery rates to meet IAF requirements,” said the senior aeronautic engineer.
L&T, a key supplier of wings for the LCA-Tejas program, providing both wings for the Mk1 variant, has invested in advanced automation technology to streamline the assembly process.
HAL is currently involved in the design and manufacturing of fighter jets, helicopters, jet engines, marine gas turbine engines, avionics, software development, spares supply, overhauling, and upgrading of Indian military aircraft.
