HAL will increase production of Tejas Mk-1A fighters by 50% to fulfil a $5.2bn contract to supply 83 aircraft to the Indian Air Force

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) intends to increase production of Tejas Mk-1A fighters by half. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) intends to increase the production of Tejas Mk-1A fighters by a factor of one and a half. HAL now has three production lines where the Indian aircraft will be manufactured.

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HAL will be able to produce 24 fighters annually instead of 16. Indian Defence Minister Giridhar Aramane and Managing Director Anantha Krishnan were present at the opening ceremony of the new site.

The Indian Air Force has ordered 83 Tejas Mk-1A light multi-role fighters worth $5.2 billion in 2020, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2024. Earlier, India had ordered 40 Tejas Mk-1s. The first squadron was formed in 2016 and the second squadron four years later.

The Tejas Mk-1A has about 40 key improvements over the Tejas Mk-1. These include, in particular, an active antenna phased array radar. The radar station will increase the detection range of enemy aircraft.

The Indian Air Force is considering buying an additional batch of 50 fighters. In addition, Egypt, Argentina, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have expressed interest in the Tejas Mk-1A.

Source: Swarajyamag