Nashik: In a major boost to India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday unveiled the first Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet produced at its newly established third production line in Nashik, Maharashtra.

The aircraft, designated LA-5043, has successfully completed all pre-flight tests and will be showcased to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The new facility aims to fast-track the delivery of 180 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF), ensuring completion within the targeted timeframe of 2032–33. HAL officials said the Nashik division currently has a production capacity of eight aircraft per year, which can be scaled up to ten annually.

“The infrastructure and facility are established with the utilisation of existing resources such as Hangar, Manpower, Machinery, etc of Nasik Division, with an additional internal investment of approximately Rs 500 crore, which were specific to the technological requirements of LCA Mk-1A aircraft,” HAL officials said.

The third production line at Nashik was set up in 2023 under HAL’s Aircraft Manufacturing Division. The company said it has created a parallel line by realising internal synergies “with minimal investments in a record two years.”

The facility houses comprehensive manufacturing capabilities for key components — including sheet metal parts, CNC parts, pipelines, welded assemblies, precision machined parts, and canopy and windshield assemblies. The Nashik Assembly Line features over 30 structural assembly jigs for all major aircraft modules, such as the centre fuselage, front fuselage, rear fuselage, wings, and air intake.

With a built-up area of around 13 lakh square feet, the new line significantly enhances HAL’s production capacity for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas series. Officials noted that the parallel production line “will enhance LCA aircraft production and enable expedited delivery of aircraft to the Indian Air Force.”

The establishment of the Nashik facility has also led to substantial employment generation and private-sector participation. HAL said the third line has created around 1,000 jobs and fostered partnerships with more than 40 industry players across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

“Overall, 40% of the total workload is planned with the development and participation of private industry partners,” HAL officials added. “This thereby aligns with the government’s goal to forge a public-private partnership in its endeavour to enhance the defence ecosystem.”

With the additional production capacity, HAL also plans to target exports of the Tejas Mk-1A to friendly countries, saying the new line “will facilitate the completion of export requirements at an enhanced production rate.”