The first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1A produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) new Nashik facility will be showcased to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, ANI reported. The state-owned aerospace major has set up a third production line at its Nashik unit in Maharashtra to fast-track deliveries of the Mark 1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
According to HAL officials, the new facility will enable the company to meet the delivery target of 180 LCA Mark 1A aircraft ordered by the IAF by 2032-33. The Nashik line has an annual production capacity of eight aircraft, which can be scaled up to ten as needed.
The establishment of the third LCA production line at HAL’s Aircraft Manufacturing Division in Nashik began in 2023.
“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 MK1A aircraft,” the officials said.
The new production line has also generated significant employment and industrial opportunities. It has created around 1,000 jobs and developed over 40 industry partners across Nashik and nearby regions in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
HAL said about 40% of the total workload has been planned in collaboration with private industry partners, aligning with the government’s push to strengthen public-private participation in defence manufacturing.
With the third production line now operational, HAL will also be positioned to target export orders for the LCA Mark 1A, enabling faster deliveries to friendly foreign countries.
*With Agency Inputs
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