India's Tejas Production to Increase with New Nashik Factory in 2025

The Indian Air Force (IAF) may soon see a significant increase in the production of its domestically-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Deputy Chief of the IAF, has indicated the potential for greater production output for this advanced fighter jet.

This boost is linked to the anticipated 2025 opening of a third Tejas production plant by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Nashik. The added facility promises to enhance HAL's manufacturing capabilities. Air Marshal Dixit suggests this could lead to an increase from the current production of 16 Tejas Mk1A jets per year to as many as 24.

Growing Demand for the Tejas​

The IAF is already deeply invested in the Tejas program, having placed an order for 73 Tejas Mk1A fighters. Discussions are underway with HAL for the procurement of an additional 97 aircraft.

With this additional demand, HAL had proposed scaling production even higher, to 30 units per year. However, the IAF appears to favor a more moderate increase to 24 units annually.

According to sources, the IAF's preference stems partially from the need to train pilots on the Tejas Mk1A. A gradual increase in aircraft deliveries would allow for more seamless pilot training programs alongside the ramp-up in production.

Implications for India's Defense​

The potential opening of the Nashik production plant, coupled with the IAF's planned Tejas orders, marks a significant stride in India's indigenous fighter jet program.

This increased manufacturing capacity promises to enhance the IAF's capabilities while simultaneously strengthening India's domestic defense industry.

 

[Akshat]

Must agree for Kaveri engine for MK1A

You mean that thing which blew up its test aircraft in Russia during testing? No thanks.

 

[Akshat]

IAF was also under the impression till last year that mk1a deliveries will happen on time while HAL had decided a year back that they won’t deliver on time. Seems HAL is consistently lying to everyone.

 

[Anant]

A delay by GE is enough to hamper Tejas programme.
75 F404 engines delivered to India.

Tejas delivery breakup:-
Prototypes- 19**
Tejas single seater- 32
Sub total- 51
Upto 7 Tejas trainers are either delivered or under construction
And additional 2 Tejas Mk1A under construction

Total of 60 Tejas delivered by year end.
That is, around 15 unused engines are left with HAL with 99 on order.

**2 Tech Demonstrator, 6 Prototypes, 3 Naval and 8 Limited Series Production

Just telling...

Not denying what you are saying, boss. However, GE has said that they can deliver 10 engines each year for another year or two while production capacity is scaled back up. Even with such a scaling, they will deliver, say, 16-20 engines a year.

For HAL to want to deliver 24 jets a year with the timelines they are currently announcing, they may well run into the simple bottlenecks of sufficient engines not being available. That is to say nothing of capacity bottlenecks at the hundreds of other vendors who supply components for the Tejas.

Even with all that aside, some F404s delivered would have been ceded to the IAF for use as emergency spares for in-service Tejas airframes. The IAF will want to keep a few engines, just in case they happen to need them quickly.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

Not denying what you are saying, boss. However, GE has said that they can deliver 10 engines each year for another year or two while production capacity is scaled back up. Even with such a scaling, they will deliver, say, 16-20 engines a year.

For HAL to want to deliver 24 jets a year with the timelines they are currently announcing, they may well run into the simple bottlenecks of sufficient engines not being available. That is to say nothing of capacity bottlenecks at the hundreds of other vendors who supply components for the Tejas.

Even with all that aside, some F404s delivered would have been ceded to the IAF for use as emergency spares for in-service Tejas airframes. The IAF will want to keep a few engines, just in case they happen to need them quickly.

Neither did I deny. Thats why I told "Just telling." You're right. But MAYBE there is a chance to ramp up F404 production. If T-7 Red Hawk trainer wins contract to replace T-38 Talon in USAF. T-7 jet uses F404 engines.