New Delhi. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh today inaugurated the third production line of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the second production line of HTT-40 trainer aircraft of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Nashik. During this, India’s indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas Mk1A took its first flight. Mk1 aircraft are already included in the Indian Air Force fleet and now its latest version Mk1A will further strengthen our forces. Seeing the first flight of Tejas Mk1A, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said, here is a vivid symbol of India’s increasing self-reliance in the defense sector.
Rajnath Singh said, HAL Nashik has been a strong pillar of India’s defense manufacturing power for more than six decades. Once upon a time, aircraft like MiG-21 and MiG-27 were manufactured here, today it is also manufacturing modern aircraft like Sukhoi-30 and Tejas. During Operation Sindoor, HAL team continuously provided support at various operational sites to maintain the operational readiness of the Indian Air Force. HAL Nashik team did the important work of integration of BrahMos missile on Sukhoi-30. This is the same BrahMos, which destroyed the hideouts of terrorists during Operation Sindoor.
Rajnath said, today I especially want to congratulate all those organizations like ADA, CEMILAC, DGAQA, our industrial partners and all the employees of HAL who together are producing such advanced and modern aircraft in India. This is indeed a huge achievement. These new facilities will give more strength, confidence and modernity to our Air Force. In today’s time, the methods of war are changing. He said, today things like AI, cyber warfare, drone systems and next generation are determining the direction of the future. Now wars are being fought not only on land or in the sky, but also on many frontiers. India has to always be ahead in this new race.
