The Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), has accorded flight clearance to the manufacture of the indigenous manufactured Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas Mark-1A, from the Nashik Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
This is the third production line for this aircraft.
The development marks a significant milestone in decentralising aircraft production and expanding India’s strategic aerospace capabilities. The Flight Clearance Document was handed over to Executive Director, HAL Nashik Division, by the Additional DGAQA on Monday.
Nashik, which has a history of manufacturing and sustaining the IAF’s fighter fleet, has now evolved into a key hub for indigenous aircraft production. Hosting the third LCA production line outside Bengaluru, this set-up enhances operational flexibility and aligns with India’s broader defence preparedness and strategic autonomy goals.
The office of the Additional DGAQA at Nashik played a pivotal role in the successful absorption of Transfer of Technology for LCA manufacturing. The office led the redesign and modification of tools and fixtures, transformed legacy work centres, and facilitated a technical shift in aerospace philosophies.
Upholding stringent quality assurance standards, the team ensured the production of over 5,000 high-precision components, in-house loom manufacturing, line replacement unit testing and exhaustive pre-installation and assembly checks.
Round-the-clock support was extended to mission-critical operations, including Right-First-Time ground runs, snag rectification and final system readiness, culminating in the successful flight clearance.
Tejas, a light single-engine multi-role aircraft, has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It is meant to replace the MiG-21 and boost the IAF’s depleting squadron strength, which at present is down to 31 squadrons against the authorised 42. Two most squadrons of the last remaining MiG-21s are being phased out next month.
The IAF currently operates two squadrons of the Tejas – No. 18 Squadron, the “Flying Bullets” at Naliya airbase; and No. 45 Squadron, the “Flying Daggers”, at Sulur airbase – that are primarily mandated for air defence roles.
While about 40 Mark-1 aircraft, including trainer versions, have been delivered to the IAF, another 73 Mark-1A are on order. According to reports, the Central Government has approved the procurement of another 97 Tejas aircraft.
Production of the aircraft, however, has been lagging due to constraints in supply of the engines. The Tejas is powered by the American GE F-404 engine. The delays in production have caused concern in defence circles.