Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the maiden flight of the Tejas Mk1A and inaugurated new aircraft production lines at HAL's Nashik campus on Friday. Attending the event, the Union Minister lauded Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for its growing contribution to India's self-reliance in the defence field.
Singh inaugurated HAL's third production line for the Tejas Mk1A and the second production line for the HTT-40 aircraft.
"It is my first opportunity to visit HAL's Nashik campus, and I could see enthusiasm and pride on the faces of everyone working here. I extend my best wishes to the pilots who flew the LCA Mk1A and SU-30 aircraft," he said.
"Today marks the inauguration of HAL's third production line for the Mk1A and the second production line for the HTT-40 aircraft. Congratulations to everyone on this occasion. The land of Nashik is historic — Lord Shiva resides here in the form of Trimbakeshwar. This land is not only one of faith and devotion but has now become a symbol of self-reliance. HAL here stands as a symbol of the nation's defence strength," Singh added.
The defence minister announced that the country’s defence exports have touched a record Rs 25,000 crore, marking a massive leap from less than Rs 1,000 crore a few years ago.
“ We have now set a target to achieve 3 lakh crore rupees in domestic defence manufacturing and 50,000 crore rupees in defence exports by 2029,” said the defence minister.
The LCA Mk1A is an advanced 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet and an upgraded variant of the Tejas. It features enhanced combat avionics, air-to-air refuelling capability, and is designed to undertake a wide range of missions, including air defence, ground attack, and maritime strike operations.
"When I witnessed the flights of the SU-30, Mk1A, and HTT-40 today, my heart swelled with pride. This is a true example of self-reliance. Once, this place was known for producing MiG aircraft, but today it has become a modern production hub for Sukhoi jets. HAL has played the role of a strong pillar for India."
"In this campus, one can see the spirit of Lord Shiva — on one hand, it represents defence manufacturing, and on the other, it embodies the power to destroy enemies," the Indian Defence Minister added.
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