Aero India 2025: HAL Ramps Up Fighter Jet Production, Eyes Faster Deliveries, Says Chairman DK Sunil

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. is gearing up for a surge in fighter jet production, with a 24 aircraft per year capacity by 2026, according to chief managing director DK Sunil. As India strengthens its indigenous defence manufacturing, HAL has already flown the first three Tejas Mark 1A aircraft from its 83 orders, with the rest being built at Bengaluru and Nashik.

The company, which has bagged Rs 55,000 crore worth of orders in the last nine months, with 97 light combat aircrafts and 156 light combat helicopters, expects to receive approvals in the next six months. Though HAL has a two-year delivery time, to speed up deliveries, they pre-ordered raw materials even before contracts were finalised.

"We had an order for 15 LCHs, and we delivered them immediately once the contract was signed. We are taking the same approach for upcoming orders," Sunil said.

HAL initially set a target of 20 aircraft per year, and by the end of 2026, production capacity will reach 24 aircraft annually, he stated.

On the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft program, Sunil was noncommittal about using the GE 414 engine, stating that further evaluations are required.

The much-awaited rollout of the Tejas Mk-1A is set to begin by the next financial year, as Hindustan Aeronautics and General Electric have stabilised their production lines, according to Sanjeev Kumar, secretary of defence production.

Despite the Indian Air Force placing orders for Tejas to replace its ageing fleet, production delays have pushed timelines. HAL's production line is now stabilised for the financial year ending March 2026, with a capacity to deliver up to 24 aircraft per year. GE has also ensured a steady supply of GE-404 engines for the project.

HAL had contracted GE for 99 GE-404 engines worth Rs 5,400 crore, but deliveries were delayed by two years. The company received an order for 83 Tejas Mk-1A worth Rs 46,900 crore in February 2021, originally slated for rollout in 2023. However, delays in engine supply and production setup postponed the schedule.