New Delhi [India], September 25 (ANI): Dr DK Sunil, HAL Chairman and Managing Director, on Thursday described the decision to supply 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft to IAF as a “red letter day,” reflecting confidence in HAL’s capabilities and India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured a landmark deal worth ₹62,370 crore with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to supply 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This contract marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing, embodying the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Speaking with ANI, DK Sunil informed that the LCA Mk1A aircraft will have 70% indigenous content, featuring advanced systems like the UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar and Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite.
“It’s a red-letter day for us. This follow-on order of 97 LCA Tejas Mark 1 Alpha. This is a follow-on order with the fighters and trainers. This order will have 70% indigenous content, compared to the earlier one. We will integrate the indigenous radar, EW suite, and many other equipment. This allows us to continue our supply chain,” he said.
Dr Sunil’s remarks reflect HAL’s optimism about overcoming earlier hurdles, positioning India to strengthen its indigenous defence capabilities. The acquisition, under the ‘Buy (India-IDDM)’ category of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, is in line with the Government’s thrust on indigenisation.
The HAL Chairman lauded the government’s efforts to promote self-dependence by fostering indigenous content and the ecosystem. Noting that HAL has concluded a follow-on order of 113 engines with General Electric, DK Sunil emphasised that this will create more jobs.
“We have already concluded the follow-on order of 113 engines with General Electric. We will now be signing the contract with them. This is a very good vote of confidence by the government of India,” HAL Chairman said.
“The work HAL is doing and the indigenous content and the ecosystem we are building and working, it is an excellent example of how the government is walking the talk of Atma Nirbhartha and giving orders so that this will generate jobs downstream, not only in HAL but downstream in all our ecosystem… It is a very big boost for Atmanirbharta,” he added.
He emphasised that around 50 per cent of the material content used in the manufacturing of the plane craft will come from the Indian private sector.
“In this aircraft, roughly 50% is the material content… These materials could be equipment, metal, any spare part or whatever we build; they are all going to come mostly from the Indian private sector,”
HAL Chairman informed that three Mk1As are already ready and are expected to complete trials by October.
“Three aircraft are ready as of now. We need to do the final trials. We expect to complete those trials in October. I think we should be able to deliver by October,” he said.
“By financial year 2032-33, we will finish all 180 aircraft. That is the target,” he added.
Regarding the contract for the 113 follow-on G404 engines, Dr DK Sunil said, “We expect to sign it in October. The contract will be worth more than 1 billion. The contract negotiations are done, and the price is finalised. We are only going through the contract details, and we have to sign. Now that this main contract is signed, in October, we will sign the contract with GE for 113 engines…”
General Electric (GE) has promised 20 engines next year, up from the current year’s target, indicating a ramp-up in production. HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. DK Sunil shared optimistic updates, stating they’re on track to receive 12 engines by the end of this financial year, with 10 likely arriving this year and the rest by March 2026.
HAL has already built its 10th aircraft, with the 11th ready, showcasing its manufacturing momentum. GE is addressing supply chain issues, which previously caused delays, boosting confidence in meeting HAL’s requirements.
“The ramping up is taking place. They (GE) had promised us 12 engines in a year, but perhaps now we will get 12 engines by the end of the financial year. This year, we may get 10. We will get the remaining by March. We have already built the 10th aircraft, and the 11th aircraft is ready… They are now sorting out their supply chain. The basic problems are done, and now the production will ramp up… Next year, they have promised us 20 engines. We have had a meeting with their top management and they are also sharing a lot of information on a regular basis about where the engine is, what the issues are. The communication has improved and we are confident that they will be able to now ramp up and meet our requirement…,” said Dr Sunil.
The Indian Air Force has ordered 83 LCA Mark 1A jets, with a proposal for 97 more in advanced stages. HAL aims for full-scale production of 30 aircraft annually by 2026-27, supported by public and private partners. The IAF plans to induct 352 Tejas aircraft, including Mark 1A and Mark 2 variants.
The LCA Mk1A is the most advanced variant of the indigenously designed & manufactured fighter aircraft and will serve as a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF, according to the Ministry of Defence (ANI)
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