Overview
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated HAL’s third LCA Mk1A line and a second HTT-40 line at Nashik and flagged off the first Mk1A built there.
- The Nashik facility can turn out eight Mk1A jets annually, lifting total Mk1A production capacity to 24 aircraft per year across HAL.
- Formal induction into the Indian Air Force will follow completion of weapon and radar integration trials and final certification.
- HAL has received only four GE F404 engines so far, with GE assuring eight more by March 2026 and a higher yearly cadence thereafter, prompting HAL to rotate engines for test flights.
- A new Rs 62,370 crore order for 97 Mk1A jets underscores IAF fleet needs after MiG-21 retirement, with HAL and partners planning further output increases once the ecosystem stabilises.