HAL Pushes for 70% Indigenous Content in Latest Tejas Mk1A Order

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is raising the bar for Indian-made defense technology, aiming to significantly increase the percentage of domestically produced parts in the upgraded Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. This ambitious move reinforces India's commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) initiative.

In the latest contract for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A fighters, HAL has set its sights on exceeding the baseline 65% indigenization level. The company aims to push this figure above 70%, a noteworthy leap from the 55% domestic content achieved in a previous Tejas Mk1A order. The original Tejas Mk1 model already features an impressive 59.7% indigenous content by value and 75.5% by line replaceable units (LRUs).

HAL's focus on domestic manufacturing bolsters India's defense capabilities while driving technological innovation within the aerospace sector. Increased indigenization reduces reliance on foreign imports and supports economic growth through job creation and the development of local industries.

This upgraded Tejas variant boasts advancements like new avionics, an improved electronic warfare suite, active electronically steered radar, and greater missile capability. These enhancements solidify the Tejas Mk1A as a critical component of the Indian Air Force's defense strategy.

 

[sanket]

If Kaveri Derative is Successful in producing 85kN to90kN ,Then Indigenous Content may Go Further up .

 

[For_A_Better_Bharat]

If Kaveri Derative is Successful in producing 85kN to90kN ,Then Indigenous Content may Go Further up .

Finger crossed 🤞

But, for that to realise, our government must release funds and ensure the efficiency in the project.

 

[amerjit johal]

HAL ermerges victorious in a new tender for Tejas Mk1A.
Did HAL have to fight off competition ???

 

[kumar]

If Kaveri Derative is Successful in producing 85kN to90kN ,Then Indigenous Content may Go Further up .

But for that, we need to invest in test infrastructure first.

 

[GMR]

HAL ermerges victorious in a new tender for Tejas Mk1A.
Did HAL have to fight off competition ???

Yes, with own workforce & management..

 

[Akshat]

Finger crossed 🤞

But, for that to realise, our government must release funds and ensure the efficiency in the project.

Government already released massive funds but GTRE couldn’t even finish it.

 

[Pink Panther]

HAL ermerges victorious in a new tender for Tejas Mk1A.
Did HAL have to fight off competition ???

Competition especially from former and current foreign watch loving Personal in IAF.

 

[For_A_Better_Bharat]

Government already released massive funds but GTRE couldn’t even finish it.

Talking 'bout the fixing of the Kaveri. We have an improved core of the engine. (Just?) Afterburner is required.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Government already released massive funds but GTRE couldn’t even finish it.

How much for a jet engine

 

[Akshat]

How much for a jet engine

Blank check. So much that GTRE couldn’t finish it and returned money unused.

 

[Akshat]

Talking 'bout the fixing of the Kaveri. We have an improved core of the engine. (Just?) Afterburner is required.

According to whom? Where has it been used? Has it been inducted? Apart from random comments from unnamed sources, what proof do we have that we have anything at all? We have been hearing those comments for well over 2 decades now. CAG revealed the lies.

 

[desigandu]

Good, but no slippage in delivery timelines should be done for indigenization...in fact if domestic manufacturing can fast track HAL to 30 jest per year, that will be good to fulfill all 180 orders by 2028 (is a stretch but should be looked at), and then the focus should be on Mk-2s...IAF needs Mk-1As and 2s, quickly and hopefully all complete by 2035, before switching to AMCAs, starting low rate production by 2030-2032...Yes, I realize that today only about 16 or 24 by 2026 are possible and with constraints of the 404 engines (20/year leading to a maximum of 16 jets) is the biggest bottleneck, but it is shame that this was not anticipated earlier and a domestic line setup with GE even without 80% TOT (like for 414s)...We can/must do better.

 

[Sudha]

According to whom? Where has it been used? Has it been inducted? Apart from random comments from unnamed sources, what proof do we have that we have anything at all? We have been hearing those comments for well over 2 decades now. CAG revealed the lies.

These days commentators base their opinions on "my take" articles (for which usually the sources are "unnamed sources") thinking it is true. They have even lost the capacity to analyse things.

 

[Sudha]

Good, but no slippage in delivery timelines should be done for indigenization...in fact if domestic manufacturing can fast track HAL to 30 jest per year, that will be good to fulfill all 180 orders by 2028 (is a stretch but should be looked at), and then the focus should be on Mk-2s...IAF needs Mk-1As and 2s, quickly and hopefully all complete by 2035, before switching to AMCAs, starting low rate production by 2030-2032...Yes, I realize that today only about 16 or 24 by 2026 are possible and with constraints of the 404 engines (20/year leading to a maximum of 16 jets) is the biggest bottleneck, but it is shame that this was not anticipated earlier and a domestic line setup with GE even without 80% TOT (like for 414s)...We can/must do better.

"30 jets per year". You are asking for the sky knowing HAL's efficiency.

 

[Sunnyj]

Without local engine it’s like a car without … an engine. That should be a priority for the gormint. IAF will be concerned about war fighting mostly.

 

[desigandu]

Sir, they have the infrastructure on paper for 16 jets a year, which they want to increase to 24 by 2026-28. Asking for 30 is not only utterly pointless, but looking at HAL's efficiency during the IOC aircraft deliveries (when it was the highest ever), even infrastructure for 24 jets a year would probably get us 14-16 jets a year at best.

So what should be done???

 

[Anant]

Good, but no slippage in delivery timelines should be done for indigenization...in fact if domestic manufacturing can fast track HAL to 30 jest per year, that will be good to fulfill all 180 orders by 2028 (is a stretch but should be looked at), and then the focus should be on Mk-2s...IAF needs Mk-1As and 2s, quickly and hopefully all complete by 2035, before switching to AMCAs, starting low rate production by 2030-2032...Yes, I realize that today only about 16 or 24 by 2026 are possible and with constraints of the 404 engines (20/year leading to a maximum of 16 jets) is the biggest bottleneck, but it is shame that this was not anticipated earlier and a domestic line setup with GE even without 80% TOT (like for 414s)...We can/must do better.

Sir, they have the infrastructure on paper for 16 jets a year, which they want to increase to 24 by 2026-28. Asking for 30 is not only utterly pointless, but looking at HAL's efficiency during the IOC aircraft deliveries (when it was the highest ever), even infrastructure for 24 jets a year would probably get us 14-16 jets a year at best.

 

[Air Cmde KI Ravi AVSM VSM]

Issues for LCA? How many panels need to be opened during DI and TRS? What is the frequency of charging oil into the aircraft acc GB? what is the current TBO of the CVRDE mfrd Ac Acc GB? . Is there a need to charge the parking brake accumulator every day. How many presses of the brake pedal are possible during a double hydraulic failure, if the brake parachute candles out? How many landings before tyre change? Is brake parachute deployment mandatory for all sorties? What is the first line MTBF of the aircraft at First Line? What is the MTTR for the aircraft? What is the engine R/I time and how much man hours is required ? What is the DFCC R/I time? Such are the maintainability questions that need answers for LCA to be exportable.IAF needs to compare Op TRS times between mk 1 and 1 A and show a 25% improvement? The Digital Flight Control Computer is more than 23 kgs and cannot be lifted by a single technician. The DFCC had 24 circular connectors and our request to change to push pull has not been implemented. Ground clearance for centreline pylon is very low. Other than Avionics& EW upgrade, nothing much has happened. Hence my sincere suggestion is that IAF- PMT must look into these issues and voice it.

 

[Rajesh]

Baring engine and ejection seat rest can be indigenised if we wants to. Involve privates companies/dpsu to indigenise the imported components one by one .