Tejas Mk1A jet takes maiden flight in Nashik in boost to India's air prowess: Watch

In a boost to India’s indigenous aerial prowess, the third Tejas LCA Mk1A fighter jet from Hindustan Aeronautics’ (HAL) new Nashik production line took its maiden flight on Friday in the presence of defence minister Rajnath Singh.

Singh inaugurated the third production line of LCA Tejas Mk1A and the second production line of HTT-40 during the event.

Earlier, visuals showed a Sukhoi aircraft standing symbolically in salute to the LCA Mk1A.

#BreakingNews | History in the Skies! #Tejas Mk1A Takes Maiden Flight – A Big Leap for India’s Defence Power. Defence minister Rajnath Singh present
@Praful_Bakshi, WG CDR (retd) share sviews with @akankshaswarups #TejasMk1A #IAF #AtmanirbharBharat pic.twitter.com/e5P35XX8WR

— News18 (@CNNnews18) October 17, 2025

The LCA Mk1A is an advanced, multi-role fighter jet which will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing MiG-21 fleet.

It is the advanced variant of the Tejas fighter, featuring significant improvements such as improved combat avionics and air-to-air refuelling capabilities.

Nashik, Maharashtra: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the third production line of LCA Tejas MK1A and the second production line of HTT-40

(Visuals show Sukhoi aircraft standing in salute to the LCA MK1A aircraft) pic.twitter.com/Inghh1b3L2

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

— IANS (@ians_india) October 17, 2025

Meanwhile, HAL's new production line at Nashik is set to produce eight LCA Mk1A aircraft annually initially, with scope for rapid expansion.

Combined with two other operational lines in Bengaluru, HAL's overall capacity would reach 24 fighters per year.

However, the Indian Air Force requires a national production capability of 30-40 jets annually to replace retiring legacy fleets.

While most of Nashik's upgraded infrastructure now supports the LCA and the indigenous HTT-40 basic trainer programmes, part of the facility remains allocated to Su-30MKI production to meet an upcoming order of 15 aircraft, according to a report in The Economic Times.

The Nashik facility's overhaul covers 1.3 million square feet, backed by an investment of Rs 500 crore and integration of advanced manufacturing technologies.