Latest news with #LCAMk-1A
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
First Nashik-produced LCA Mk-1A set for maiden flight in July
The first light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) built at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's new production line in Nashik is set to make its maiden flight in mid-July, and the state-owned plane maker is targeting delivery of the first LCA Mk-1A produced in Bengaluru to the Indian Air Force in July-August after a delay of almost 16 months, officials aware of the matter said on Monday. HAL can build 16 Mk-1As every year in Bengaluru, and the Nashik production line will help it boost production to a total of 24 jets. To be sure, the Bengaluru-produced LCA Mk-1A flew for the first time in March 2024. 'The Nashik production line will roll out four to five Mk-1A fighters this year, followed by eight annually next year onwards. It will help us make up for the delay in deliveries due to factors including US firm GE Aerospace's inability to supply F404- IN20 engines on time and some pending certifications,' said one of the officials cited above, asking not to be named. IAF is concerned about the current pace of the LCA Mk-1A programme because of the possible risks a delay in the induction of new fighters could pose to its combat effectiveness. The air force ordered 83 Mk-1A fighters for ₹48,000 crore in February 2021 and plans to buy 97 more Mk-1As at a cost of around ₹67,000 crore. The first of the 83 jets on order was to be delivered to the IAF by March 31, 2024. The last of the 83 jets are to be delivered by 2028-29. 'HAL has so far manufactured six LCA Mk-1As in Bengaluru to execute the 83-aircraft order. One of these, equipped with GE's F404-IN20 engine, is expected to be delivered to the IAF in July-August. We have sufficient capacity to offset the delay once the engine supplies stabilise,' said a second official, who also asked not to be named. GE Aerospace delivered the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL in March. The second engine is expected to be delivered in July, followed by two every month until December, the officials said, adding that deliveries will be accelerated next year onwards. With no additional engine orders, the production line for F404-IN20 in the US was shut down. However, when HAL ordered an additional 99 engines in 2021 for the LCA Mk-1A, the US firm began the complex task of restarting the production line, which had been dormant for five years, and re-engaging the engine's global supply chain. In May, IAF voiced its frustration over the delays in key projects. The chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh then put the spotlight on the armed forces' agonising wait for new weapons and systems, saying he could not recall a single instance of a project being executed on time, in what was seen as a wake-up call for the country's defence production sector. 'Timelines are a big issue,' Singh said at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025. The air force is grappling with a shortage of fighter jets and operates around 30 fighter squadrons compared to an authorised 42. The armed forces have so far not called 'the black sheep' out, but their 'restraint' should not be stretched to a breaking point, Singh said, issuing a veiled warning to defence public sector units including HAL and the Defence Research and Development Organisation among others. Singh has often publicly flagged concerns about a worrying erosion of IAF's capabilities and called for urgent measures to fix it. In February, he questioned the ability of HAL to meet the air force's critical requirements in the backdrop of the lingering delay in the supply of new Mk-1A fighter jets, saying he had 'no confidence' in the plane maker. HAL chief DK Sunil then responded by saying that his company's focus is on delivering the LCA Mk-1A to the IAF at the earliest rather than spending time on countering criticism of the indigenous programme. The LCA is set to emerge as the cornerstone of IAF's combat power as the world's fourth largest air force is expected to operate around 350 LCAs (Mk-1, Mk-1A and Mk-2 variants) in the coming decades. The Mk-1A, a 4.5 generation fighter, will come with digital radar warning receivers, external self-protection jammer pods, superior radar, advanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles, and significantly improved maintainability. On June 11, a top IAF officer said precision weapons, such as the ones used by IAF against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor rendered geographical barriers almost meaningless and altered the relationship between distance and vulnerability. 'Today, precision-guided munitions like Scalp and BrahMos (missiles) have rendered geographical barriers almost meaningless as strikes with beyond visual range air-to-air missiles and supersonic air-to-ground missiles have become commonplace,' said Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, chief of integrated defence staff. Modern warfare -- thanks to technology -- has fundamentally altered the relationship between distance and vulnerability, he added. In March, a top government committee recommended a raft of short and long-term measures to boost the capabilities of IAF and pointed out that it was critical to enhance self-reliance in the aerospace sector through increased participation of the private sector to fill critical gaps. Steps are being taken to boost private participation in the aerospace sector. Last month, India unveiled its long-awaited plan to fast-track the development of an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, or the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), announcing that the execution model will be competitive and provide equal opportunities to public and private sector firms to participate in one of the country's most significant military projects. The approval of the industry partnership model by defence minister Rajnath Singh came at a critical moment as HAL --- the sole manufacturer of fighter jets in the country --- was till then believed to be the frontrunner for the project. While the model unlocks new possibilities for the local aerospace industry, including firms like Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Larsen & Toubro, Adani Defence and Aerospace and the Mahindra Group; HAL is still a strong contender for the project, as earlier reported by HT.
India Today
30-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Tejas Mk-1A jet delivery deadline missed again: Here's how timeline unfolded
Amid growing concerns over delays in India's indigenous fighter jet programme, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Thursday urged the defence industry not to make promises it cannot deliver on time. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry's Annual Business Summit 2025, the Air Force chief underscored that "timeline is a big issue" — a sharp reminder of the Indian Air Force's mounting frustration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) over the delayed delivery of Tejas Mk-1A fighter three months ago, the IAF chief had publicly voiced concern about the slippage in deadlines. On paper, HAL was to deliver the first of 83 LCA Mk-1A jets by March 31, 2024, under a Rs 48,000 crore deal signed in February 2021. That did not happen.A STALLED TIMELINEThe Tejas Mk-1A — a more advanced variant of the LCA Mk-1 — has faced persistent delays, largely due to late engine deliveries from GE Aerospace and protracted certification processes. The first F404-IN20 engine for the Mk-1A aircraft was delivered only in March 2025, nearly two years behind schedule. The delivery, part of a USD 716 million contract for 99 engines, was hailed as a 'milestone' by GE Aerospace's Combat & Trainer Engines General Manager Shawn Warren, who said it would "ensure a strong future for India's military". But for HAL, it was only the beginning of a race to recover lost PUSH AFTER ENGINE BOTTLENECKSadvertisementFollowing the arrival of the long-awaited engines, HAL has ramped up its production capacity by restructuring its Bengaluru facility and adding a parallel assembly line. The goal now is to deliver at least 16 Tejas Mk-1A jets annually, aiming to complete the 83-aircraft order by Chairman Dr DK Sunil had earlier assured that with engine supplies stabilising, the production of Mk-1A jets would gather pace. "We have now promised that we will have all the Mk-1A structures ready. Once the engines are available, the Mk-1As will start rolling out," he said at Aero India ORDERS IN PIPELINEDespite the initial hiccups, the IAF is gearing up to place a follow-on order for 97 more Mk-1A aircraft, estimated at Rs 67,000 crore, which would bring the total fleet size to 180. In parallel, a mega Rs 1.3 lakh crore deal for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) for both the IAF and Indian Army is expected to be finalised within the next six has committed to delivering all 180 Tejas Mk-1A fighters by 2031, with a consolidated production capacity of 16 to 24 aircraft annually beginning delays come at a time when the IAF is retiring ageing aircraft like the MiG-21, MiG-27, and Jaguars, leaving its squadron strength critically depleted. Without the timely induction of Tejas Mk-1A, the gap between required and available fighters continues to widen — raising serious questions about India's aerial combat PANEL FORMEDadvertisementTo address these systemic delays, the Ministry of Defence had constituted a five-member Defence Empowerment Committee led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The committee recommended a slew of short, medium, and long-term solutions — including involving private players in the LCA production companies are now contributing critical components such as fuselages. Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Pvt Ltd recently handed over the first rear fuselage of the Mk-1A to HAL, with more scheduled to follow. Deliveries of the aircraft will now be streamlined across three separate HAL production lines.
Mint
30-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
IAF chief laments wait for arms
The chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Thursday put the spotlight on the armed forces' agonising wait for new weapons and systems, saying he could not recall a single instance of a project being executed on time --- a wake-up call for the country's defence production sector. 'Timelines are a big issue,' Singh said, in his first public comments after the May 7-10 military confrontation with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. The armed forces have so far not called 'the black sheep' out, but their 'restraint' should not be stretched to a breaking point, Singh said, issuing a veiled warning to defence public sector units including plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation . 'There's not a single project that I can think of that has been completed on time. We must look within. Why promise something that cannot be achieved. While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it (weapon or system) is not going to come. But we just sign the contract with the mindset that we will see later what needs to be done. Obviously, the process gets vitiated,' he said at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025. Prominent speakers at the conference included defence minister Rajnath Singh and navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Key projects beset by delays include the light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A), the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, basic trainer aircraft and intermediate jet trainers among others. 'The defence forces have shown restraint and not called a black sheep, a black sheep. We have been trying to encourage people, but someday the restraint will break down. Let's stretch the elastic only to the point it does not break,' said Singh, who is known to be a plain-spoken and straightforward military leader. He has often publicly flagged concerns about a worrying erosion of IAF's capabilities and called for urgent measures to fix it. In February, the IAF chief questioned the ability of HAL to meet the air force's critical requirements in the backdrop of a lingering delay in the supply of new Mk-1A fighter jets, saying he had 'no confidence' in the plane maker. The remarks, made during an interaction with HAL officials, were recorded by someone. HAL chief DK Sunil then said that his company's focus is on delivering the LCA Mk-1A to the IAF at the earliest rather than spending time on countering criticism of the indigenous programme, which is running behind schedule due to several reasons including delay in the supply of engines by US firm GE Aerospace. Singh's latest comments came three months after a top government committee recommended a raft of short and long-term measures to boost the capabilities of IAF, which is grappling with a shortage of fighter squadrons, and pointed out that it was critical to enhance self-reliance in the aerospace sector through increased participation of the private sector to fill critical gaps. The IAF chief spoke about the government unlocking new opportunities for the private sector in defence manufacturing. On May 27, India unveiled its long-awaited plan to fast-track the development of AMCA --- an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, announcing that the execution model will be competitive and provide equal opportunities to public and private sector firms to participate in one of the country's most significant military projects. This could become the private sector's finest hour, he said. 'Please rise to the occasion, come together. If today somebody is manufacturing world-class cars, electronics, and equipment in the civil sector, why can't some of those industries come together and say, 'We will make world-class military equipment even if it doesn't give me the profit I am looking for.' Let's rise together to make this nation a great nation.' The approval of the industry partnership model for AMCA by defence minister Rajnath Singh came at a critical moment HAL --- the sole manufacturer of fighter jets in the country --- was so far believed to be the front-runner for the prestigious project. In February, Singh said the IAF must induct up to 40 fighter jets every year to stay combat ready, adding that participation of the private industry could help boost the aircraft production rate in the country to meet the growing needs of the world's fourth largest air force that is 'very badly off in numbers.' He said an in-house study conducted by the IAF showed that it must induct two fighter squadrons every year to cater for the numbers needed, the existing shortfall, and to replace the aircraft that will be phased out soon. The air force is grappling with a shortage of jets and operates around 30 fighter squadrons compared to an authorised 42. It is concerned about the current pace of the LCA Mk-1A programme because of the possible risks a delay in the induction of new fighters could pose to its combat effectiveness. It's most important for the defence production sector to meet timelines as it impacts the military's battle readiness and national security, said Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (retd), the director general of Centre for Air Power Studies --- an influential think tank. 'Missing timelines has become the norm rather than the exception. We must reverse this trend,' he added.
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IAF chief laments wait for arms
The chief of the air staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Thursday put the spotlight on the armed forces' agonising wait for new weapons and systems, saying he could not recall a single instance of a project being executed on time --- a wake-up call for the country's defence production sector. 'Timelines are a big issue,' Singh said, in his first public comments after the May 7-10 military confrontation with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. The armed forces have so far not called 'the black sheep' out, but their 'restraint' should not be stretched to a breaking point, Singh said, issuing a veiled warning to defence public sector units including plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation . 'There's not a single project that I can think of that has been completed on time. We must look within. Why promise something that cannot be achieved. While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it (weapon or system) is not going to come. But we just sign the contract with the mindset that we will see later what needs to be done. Obviously, the process gets vitiated,' he said at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025. Prominent speakers at the conference included defence minister Rajnath Singh and navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. Key projects beset by delays include the light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A), the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, basic trainer aircraft and intermediate jet trainers among others. 'The defence forces have shown restraint and not called a black sheep, a black sheep. We have been trying to encourage people, but someday the restraint will break down. Let's stretch the elastic only to the point it does not break,' said Singh, who is known to be a plain-spoken and straightforward military leader. He has often publicly flagged concerns about a worrying erosion of IAF's capabilities and called for urgent measures to fix it. In February, the IAF chief questioned the ability of HAL to meet the air force's critical requirements in the backdrop of a lingering delay in the supply of new Mk-1A fighter jets, saying he had 'no confidence' in the plane maker. The remarks, made during an interaction with HAL officials, were recorded by someone. HAL chief DK Sunil then said that his company's focus is on delivering the LCA Mk-1A to the IAF at the earliest rather than spending time on countering criticism of the indigenous programme, which is running behind schedule due to several reasons including delay in the supply of engines by US firm GE Aerospace. Singh's latest comments came three months after a top government committee recommended a raft of short and long-term measures to boost the capabilities of IAF, which is grappling with a shortage of fighter squadrons, and pointed out that it was critical to enhance self-reliance in the aerospace sector through increased participation of the private sector to fill critical gaps. The IAF chief spoke about the government unlocking new opportunities for the private sector in defence manufacturing. On May 27, India unveiled its long-awaited plan to fast-track the development of AMCA --- an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, announcing that the execution model will be competitive and provide equal opportunities to public and private sector firms to participate in one of the country's most significant military projects. This could become the private sector's finest hour, he said. 'Please rise to the occasion, come together. If today somebody is manufacturing world-class cars, electronics, and equipment in the civil sector, why can't some of those industries come together and say, 'We will make world-class military equipment even if it doesn't give me the profit I am looking for.' Let's rise together to make this nation a great nation.' The approval of the industry partnership model for AMCA by defence minister Rajnath Singh came at a critical moment HAL --- the sole manufacturer of fighter jets in the country --- was so far believed to be the front-runner for the prestigious project. In February, Singh said the IAF must induct up to 40 fighter jets every year to stay combat ready, adding that participation of the private industry could help boost the aircraft production rate in the country to meet the growing needs of the world's fourth largest air force that is 'very badly off in numbers.' He said an in-house study conducted by the IAF showed that it must induct two fighter squadrons every year to cater for the numbers needed, the existing shortfall, and to replace the aircraft that will be phased out soon. The air force is grappling with a shortage of jets and operates around 30 fighter squadrons compared to an authorised 42. It is concerned about the current pace of the LCA Mk-1A programme because of the possible risks a delay in the induction of new fighters could pose to its combat effectiveness. It's most important for the defence production sector to meet timelines as it impacts the military's battle readiness and national security, said Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (retd), the director general of Centre for Air Power Studies --- an influential think tank. 'Missing timelines has become the norm rather than the exception. We must reverse this trend,' he added.
