Latest news with #Mk-1A
Business Upturn
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Hindustan Aeronautics shares in focus as Tejas Mk-2 rollout gets delayed to 2026
Shares of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) slipped over 1% on Tuesday to ₹4,994.50 after fresh updates from the Paris Airshow revealed further delays in the rollout timeline for the much-anticipated Tejas Mk-2 fighter jet. According to HAL Chairman Dr. DK Sunil, as shared in an interview with aviation journalist Atul Chandra, the structural assembly of the first Tejas Mk-2 prototype is currently underway, but the aircraft's rollout is now targeted for 2026—pushing back earlier expectations. The stock came under pressure despite HAL's parallel announcement that two existing production lines for Tejas Mk-1A are already operational in Bengaluru, with a third one being established in Nashik. This is aimed at ramping up production capacity to 24 aircraft annually. The first Mk-1A from this third line is expected in 2025. Our dear friend, aviation enthusiast and cheerful Atul Chandra @CheckSix_Bison , Editor at GBP Daily News (Show dailies from the Paris Airshow) just interviewed HAL Chairman Dr. DK Sunil (in Pix 1). Some important takeaways! LCA Mk.1A: HAL has established two production lines… — Vayu Aerospace Review (@ReviewVayu) June 18, 2025 HAL's market cap currently stands at ₹3.34 lakh crore. The delay in the Mk-2 project, seen as a strategic defence initiative, could impact medium-term sentiment, even though the broader outlook for HAL remains robust amid increasing defence indigenisation.
Hindustan Times
4 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.
Khaleej Times
13-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Indian warplane maker promises faster delivery after air chief's rebuke
India's state fighter jet maker Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) said it understood why India's air force was impatient over delays in delivering warplanes and would start rolling them out once General Electric supplied engines for them. In a pre-scheduled press conference on Tuesday that was held a day after the head of the air force rebuked company officials, HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil said when asked about the delays: "The concern of the air chief is understandable. Of course, his squadron strengths are going down." "We have now promised that we will have all the structures ready," Sunil said. "We are building this. Once the engines are available, this will start rolling out." The Indian Air Force's fleet of mainly ex-Soviet aircraft has been operating with only 31 fighter squadrons compared with a target of 42, frustrating its officials given the country's tense relations with neighbours China and Pakistan. The Air Force has ordered 83 Mk-1A light combat aircraft from HAL, an advanced variant of the operational Mk-1 "Tejas", with deliveries initially planned to start in February 2024 as part of a 364.68 billion rupees ($4.20 billion) contract. It plans to procure 97 more Mk-1As, which would take the total of the Tejas group of aircraft to 220. But deliveries have been repeatedly delayed, due in part to the slow arrival of engines from GE, which has been facing supply chain issues. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh was seen rebuking HAL officials at the Aero India air show in Bengaluru in a video filmed by defence news outlet National Defence that went viral on Tuesday. "At the moment I am just not confident of HAL," Singh said, seating inside the cockpit of a trainer aircraft as HAL officials crouched by his side on a platform. "I was promised that when I come here in February I will see 11 Mk1As ready, minus the engines," Singh said. "Not a single one is ready. Not impressed." India's defence production secretary, Sanjeev Kumar, said at the same air show that production lines had stabilised both at HAL and GE, and that the Indian company would have the capacity to hand over 16 to 24 aircraft in the fiscal year that starts in April. GE Aerospace referred to a company statement from earlier this month that said the company has so far delivered 65 engines for the LCA Mk-1 programme, and another 99 are on order for the LCA Mk-1A variant. India's close defence partner Russia this week also offered to make its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 in India for the Indian Air Force, by enhancing the Indian production line of the Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft, 260 of which are in India's fleet.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indian warplane maker promises faster delivery after air chief's rebuke
By Shivam Patel BENGALURU (Reuters) -India's state fighter jet maker Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) said it understood why India's air force was impatient over delays in delivering warplanes and would start rolling them out once General Electric supplied engines for them. In a pre-scheduled press conference on Tuesday that was held a day after the head of the air force rebuked company officials, HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil said when asked about the delays: "The concern of the air chief is understandable. Of course, his squadron strengths are going down." "We have now promised that we will have all the structures ready," Sunil said. "We are building this. Once the engines are available, this will start rolling out." The Indian Air Force's fleet of mainly ex-Soviet aircraft has been operating with only 31 fighter squadrons compared with a target of 42, frustrating its officials given the country's tense relations with neighbours China and Pakistan. The Air Force has ordered 83 Mk-1A light combat aircraft from HAL, an advanced variant of the operational Mk-1 "Tejas", with deliveries initially planned to start in February 2024 as part of a 364.68 billion rupees ($4.20 billion) contract. It plans to procure 97 more Mk-1As, which would take the total of the Tejas group of aircraft to 220. But deliveries have been repeatedly delayed, due in part to the slow arrival of engines from GE, which has been facing supply chain issues. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh was seen rebuking HAL officials at the Aero India air show in Bengaluru in a video filmed by defence news outlet National Defence that went viral on Tuesday. "At the moment I am just not confident of HAL," Singh said, seating inside the cockpit of a trainer aircraft as HAL officials crouched by his side on a platform. "I was promised that when I come here in February I will see 11 Mk1As ready, minus the engines," Singh said. "Not a single one is ready. Not impressed." India's defence production secretary, Sanjeev Kumar, said at the same air show that production lines had stabilised both at HAL and GE, and that the Indian company would have the capacity to hand over 16 to 24 aircraft in the fiscal year that starts in April. GE Aerospace referred to a company statement from earlier this month that said the company has so far delivered 65 engines for the LCA Mk-1 programme, and another 99 are on order for the LCA Mk-1A variant. India's close defence partner Russia this week also offered to make its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 in India for the Indian Air Force, by enhancing the Indian production line of the Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft, 260 of which are in India's fleet. ($1 = 86.8700 Indian rupees) Sign in to access your portfolio
