HAL gets first wing assemblies for LCA Tejas Mk1A from L&T

In a major boost to India’s defence manufacturing efforts, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday received the first set of wing assemblies for the LCA Mk1A from Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The handover took place at L&T’s Precision Manufacturing & Systems Complex in Coimbatore, with HAL’s LCA Tejas Division General Manager M Abdul Salam accepting the modules.

Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, attending virtually, praised HAL and L&T for their partnership in advancing self-reliance. He noted HAL’s role in building strong ties with private industry and emphasized the need to continue reducing foreign dependence.

CMD, HAL, DK Sunil, who was present during the handing over, termed it as a testament to years of dedicated hand-holding and a shared commitment to excellence from HAL and L&T."HAL is working with suppliers, both large and SMEs, as an initiative towards achieving Aatmanirbharta in the aerospace and defence sector. HAL has effectively built a parallel aircraft structural assembly line in the private sector which will help in capacity augmentation of the LCA Tejas programme," he said.

Senior Vice President and Head, L&T Precision Engineering and Systems Arun Ramchandani said L&T is set to supply four wing sets annually, with plans to scale up production to 12 sets per annum through advanced assembly processes and automation, he added.