Tejas-Mk-1A roll out from Nashik this month, Astra firing likely in Aug: HAL CMD

BENGALURU: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will roll out the first LCA Tejas Mk1A from its new Nashik production line by the end of July, with integration and test firing of the Astra air-to-air missile scheduled for early August, HAL CMD DK Sunil told TOI in an interview.

The rollout from Nashik marks a key milestone in HAL’s efforts to scale up Tejas production, even as the programme works through engine supply constraints and indigenous radar integration delays. “The first aircraft from Nashik is already in final assembly and under testing. We expect the rollout in a month,” Sunil said, adding that while the current year may see three to four aircraft from Nashik, the plant has been built to support an annual output of eight.

At present, HAL is operating two production lines in Bengaluru and has initiated the third at Nashik. A parallel private-sector supply chain — comprising VEM Technologies (centre fuselage), Alpha (rear fuselage), and L&T (wings) — is expected to contribute towards an additional six aircraft a year, eventually raising the overall production capacity to 30 aircraft annually.

He said that despite engine supply delays from GE, HAL is pressing ahead with deliveries. “We have already built six aircraft which are ready and flying,” Sunil said. HAL expects to produce 12 aircraft this year, using available GE engines in rotation to carry out critical test flights. GE has assured delivery of 12 engines this year, with the second engine expected this month after only one had arrived by April.

Integration of Astra missile, developed by DRDO, is scheduled for early August. “We need to have some of the other issues sorted out like the firing of the missile, the Astra missile, which we plan to do in August, early August,” he said.

On radar integration, HAL faced criticism for opting to continue with the imported ELTA radar from Israel for all Tejas Mk1A fighters under the current contract, instead of switching midstream — from the 41st aircraft — to the indigenous Uttam AESA radar.

Sunil clarified that 40 ELTA radars were contracted initially, with a plan to introduce Uttam from the 41st aircraft onwards. However, delays in certification of both the Uttam radar and associated electronic warfare (EW) suite, also being developed by DRDO, forced HAL’s hand.

He noted that over the last three years, HAL has held several meetings with senior officials from DRDO and IAF, but the certification timelines have repeatedly slipped. “As a manufacturer, when we’re under pressure for not delivering, the risk becomes ours. If we wait and the systems still aren’t certified, we are left with no aircraft to hand over.”

“There was a clear directive from DRDO headquarters in Feb 2024 that if certification is not achieved by year-end, HAL may proceed. That meeting and directive are on record. We waited until March this year, but when progress still hadn’t been made, we moved forward.”

In response to persistent concerns from the Indian Air Force about unmet aircraft staff qualitative requirements (ASQRs), Sunil attributed the delays to legacy issues and dependency on various partners including ADA and DRDO. “Parallel efforts are underway to close these issues across multiple aircraft. It’s not that there’s no effort — it’s just that the closure needs to be more structured,” he said.

HAL aims to deliver all 12 Tejas Mk1As scheduled for this year, with the full production ecosystem — including public and private lines — expected to reach a steady state of 30 aircraft annually from 2026-27.