BENGALURU: Buoyed by the recent Cabinet Committee on Security approval for procurement of 83 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mark-1A aircraft worth Rs 47,000 crore, defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will soon make operational a dedicated second LCA plant here.
The new plant at Doddanekkundi, according to HAL sources, will be inaugurated on February 2.
Rajnath Singh may inaugurate plant
The new plant is likely to be inaugurated by defence minister Rajnath Singh.
“The commissioned plant will be able to produce 16 LCAs every year. We’ll make the Tejas Mark-1A and trainers here,” a source said.
At present, HAL can manufacture eight LCAs every year. The first dedicated LCA plant and HAL’s Aircraft Division are both producing them. “The plant to be inaugurated by the defence minister will technically be the third,” the source said.
The 83 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft — 73 fighters and 10 trainers — will have 43 improvements over the Tejas Mark-1 jets for which the IAF has placed orders.
The new order is expected to be placed during the upcoming edition of Aero India. “From the date of the signing of contract, HAL will have 36 months to deliver the first batch of aircraft,” the source added.
There was no immediate confirmation on investment in the second plant, or when it will be commissioned fully. “The first phase of operations will start in a few months after Tuesday’s inauguration,” another source said, adding that existing manpower will be used at the plant.
Programme may generate 5,000 primary jobs
HAL estimates that the LCA Mark-1A programme will generate around 5,000 primary jobs across the country. It will foster local industry and drive skill development of young Indian workforce, HAL said.