On October 17, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially opened the third production line for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A and the second production line for the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility. He also inaugurated the first LCA Mk1A built at this site.
In his remarks, Shri Singh hailed these advanced aircraft as a proud symbol of India’s expanding self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Reflecting on the progress made over the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he pointed out that India has shifted from importing nearly 70% of its military hardware to producing about 65% domestically. The government is committed to further boosting this to full domestic production in the near future.
“When we assumed office in 2014, our key challenges were limited defence readiness and heavy dependence on imports,” he said. “At that time, private companies had little role, and focus on defence innovation and technology was lacking. This led to higher costs and strategic risks. But through fresh thinking and reforms, we have turned this around. Today, we are manufacturing what we once relied on from other countries — from fighter jets and missiles to engines and electronic systems.”
Highlighting the government’s achievements, the Defence Minister shared that annual defence production has surged from Rs 46,429 crore in 2014-15 to a record Rs 1.50 lakh crore in 2024-25. Defence exports have similarly grown, reaching Rs 25,000 crore compared to less than Rs 1,000 crore a decade ago. Targets have now been set to double these numbers by 2029.
Addressing the evolving nature of warfare, Shri Singh stressed the need for India to stay ahead in areas like Artificial Intelligence, cyber defence, drones, and next-generation aircraft. He urged HAL to broaden its focus beyond the LCA Tejas and HTT-40 to include unmanned systems and civil aviation.
The Defence Minister also commended HAL’s crucial role in supporting national security operations, including Operation Sindoor, where the Nashik facility provided vital maintenance and installed BrahMos missiles on Su-30 jets that successfully targeted terrorist sites. He praised HAL as the backbone of India’s defence industry, recognizing its shift to a fully digital and sustainable working environment.
Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar described the new production lines as a sign of India’s growing technological prowess and industrial strength. He called the LCA Tejas Mk1 a mark of Indian innovation and collaboration, developed with the Aeronautical Development Agency, DRDO, and the Indian Air Force. The HTT-40, designed entirely by HAL, stands as a testament to the company’s ability to deliver homegrown defence platforms.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr DK Sunil expressed pride in the Nashik division’s expanded manufacturing capabilities. The new lines have created around 1,000 jobs and helped build over 40 partnerships with local industries, supporting government efforts to strengthen public-private collaboration.
The third LCA Mk1A production line was set up within two years and is equipped with more than 30 assembly jigs covering major aircraft modules such as the fuselage, wings, and air intakes. It is capable of producing eight aircraft annually, bringing HAL’s total output capacity to 24 aircraft per year. The newly established second HTT-40 line at Nashik includes workshops for fuselage, wings, and control surface assembly.
Established in 1964 to produce MiG-21 fighters under license, HAL Nashik has manufactured over 900 aircraft and overhauled nearly 1,900 military jets, including the MiG-21, MiG-27, and Su-30 MKI. It offers comprehensive design, manufacturing, and integration expertise, having enhanced the Su-30 MKI with indigenous weapons like the BrahMos missile. The facility continues to provide extensive maintenance and overhaul services, ensuring the operational readiness of India’s air fleet.
