Hyderabad: VEM Technologies handed over the first centre fuselage assembly for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) here today, marking a historic milestone in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing.
The ceremony, attended by Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar and HAL Chairman & Managing Director Dr. D. K. Sunil, was the first instance of a private Indian company manufacturing a major sub-assembly for the LCA Tejas. Kumar lauded the collaboration between HAL and VEM Technologies, stating it has significantly accelerated production of the LCA Mk1A. He noted that India’s defence production is growing at approximately 10% annually, with notable increases in defence exports, driven by contributions from public sector units like HAL and private industries.
Kumar emphasised that indigenous manufacturing and a reliable supply chain for spare parts are essential for meeting the Armed Forces’ requirements and ensuring national security and sovereignty.
Dr. D. K. Sunil highlighted the expanding role of Tier 1 and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) suppliers in LCA Tejas production, stating that the handover enables the establishment of a fourth production line for the LCA Mk1A, complementing two existing lines in Bengaluru and one in Nashik. He affirmed HAL’s commitment to increasing production and ensuring timely deliveries to the Indian Air Force.
HAL has developed a national aerospace ecosystem by providing private partners, including Larsen & Toubro, Alpha Tocol, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, VEM Technologies, and Lakshmi Machine Works, with critical inputs such as jigs, fixtures, tools, and technical know-how. These partners are producing complex sub-assemblies, including centre fuselages, fuel drop tanks, pylons, rear fuselages, wings, fins, rudders, and air intakes.
The LCA Tejas Division has already received structural modules such as air intake assemblies, rear fuselage assemblies, loom assemblies, and fin and rudder assemblies in the Mk1A configuration. HAL plans to extend this outsourcing model to future projects to enhance its in-house manufacturing capacity.
In alignment with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, HAL has partnered with over 6,300 Indian vendors, including 2,448 MSMEs, supporting thousands of skilled jobs and building a robust domestic supply chain. Over the past three years, HAL has placed orders worth ₹13,763 crore with Indian vendors and is actively pursuing the indigenisation of complex aircraft systems and critical components across various platforms.
– global bihari bureau
