New Delhi: The first official flight of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas Mk1A, from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility took place on Friday afternoon, making October 17 a historic day in the country’s defence history.
In the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, this Ruby Jubilee celebration was a game-changer that will usher in an era of self-sufficiency with the production line being unveiled for the LCA Mk1A and HTT-40 trainer — A message of India’s aviation power and might.
Developed to replace the ageing MiG-21 fighters, the advanced version of the Mk1, the Tejas Mk1A, has fourth-generation multi-role features for air defence, ground attack and maritime roles.
Under a ₹62,370 crore contract signed recently, HAL will supply 97 jets – 68 single-seater and 29 twin-seater trainers – filling several critical gaps in the Indian Air Force’s shrinking number of fighter squadrons currently down to 30 from the authorised strength of 42.
The flight has reverberated across borders. While India is closely watching China’s advanced stealth fighters, J-31, with Pakistan looking to acquire them and Beijing expanding its fleet, it has emerged that the first Tejas squadron will be based close to the Pakistan border, reaffirming New Delhi’s strategic advantage.
Nashik’s facility, once the epitome of cooperation on Russian fighter projects such as MiG and Su-30 jets, also carries only modest imports now, with domestic output rising to over two dozen aircraft a year.
With US-sourced GE F404 engines driving them – four delivered and 12 more pledged for 2025 – ten aircraft are ready for final trials following rollout. The mothballing of two squadrons of MiG-21 from September 26 revealed chinks, but Tejas will plug gaps into Mk2 and stealthy AMCA.
It had led to the generation of thousands of jobs and export prospects, according to HAL CMD Dr D K Sunil. “It’s a job creator. This is not only an aircraft,” the phrase repeated over and over, “it’s the country’s new symbol of freedom.” And as adversaries retool, the wings of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat spread farther.