HAL’s Nashik unit receives flight clearance for Tejas Mk1A

Nashik: In a major milestone for India’s indigenous fighter jet programme, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) received flight clearance for the Tejas Mk1A aircraft manufactured at its Nashik unit in Maharashtra.

According to an official statement, the approval was granted by the Office of the Additional Director General (AQA) in Nashik, a regional arm of the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA). The Flight Clearance Document was formally presented by the Additional Director General, AQA, to the Executive Director of HAL’s Nashik division.

This clearance is a crucial step in decentralising Tejas production beyond Bengaluru, where HAL already operates two manufacturing lines. The Nashik facility now serves as India’s third LCA production line, with the capability to produce eight aircraft annually, matching the capacity of each Bengaluru line. This expansion is expected to provide greater operational flexibility and support India’s broader goals of defence readiness and strategic self-reliance.

Nashik has long been known for its expertise in building and supporting fighter aircraft. The city’s aerospace ecosystem has now evolved into a vital hub for indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) manufacturing. Officials credited the successful absorption of the Transfer of Technology (ToT) for enabling the Nashik division to start producing the Tejas Mk1A.

There is also discussion about setting up a fourth production line in Nashik to further boost output. However, this plan is tied to the regular supply of GE engines powering the Tejas jets.

For the Indian Air Force (IAF), this development comes as welcome news. The force has repeatedly raised concerns over delays in Tejas deliveries. In May, during a CII Annual Business Summit in New Delhi, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh openly expressed frustration, underscoring that despite years of assurances, the Tejas Mk1 is still awaited and the Tejas Mk2 prototype has yet to be rolled out.

The Air Chief’s comments highlighted the urgent need for faster production and delivery timelines to strengthen the IAF’s combat capabilities.

The Nashik production line’s activation not only adds capacity but also spreads manufacturing risk across multiple sites. By having three operational LCA production lines, two in Bengaluru and one in Nashik, HAL can better manage timelines, respond to supply chain disruptions, and meet the IAF’s operational requirements more efficiently.

With the flight clearance now in place, HAL is expected to ramp up Tejas Mk1A production in Nashik, giving a decisive push to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in aerospace and defence manufacturing.