HAL gets first set of LCA Mk1a wing assemblies from L&T
First set of wing assemblies for LCA Mk1A, produced by L&T, handed over to HAL in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on Thursday
The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd(HAL) on Friday received the first set of wing assemblies for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, outsourced for production to Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, marking the private partnership in the development of indigenous aero structures.
Senior Vice President & Head, L&T Precision Engineering & Systems Arun Ramchandani, who was present at the handing over ceremony at Coimbatore, said his company is set to supply four wing sets annually, with plans to scale up production to 12 sets per annum through advanced assembly processes and automation.
The outsourcing of components is expected to help meet the LCA Mk1A timelines which have already gone haywire owing to delay in supply of engine F-404 from GE. On Monday the second engine in this year so far was received by the HAL, with commitment of 10 more by December.
L&T is not the lone private company participating in the production of Tejas fighter aircraft. Till date, the LCA Tejas Division has received structural modules of Air Intake Assemblies from Lakshmi Machine Works, Rear fuselage assembly from Alpha Tocol, Loom Assemblies from Amphenol, Fin & Rudder Assemblies from Tata Advanced Systems, and Centre Fuselage Assembly from VEM Technologies for the LCA Mk1A.
Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar attended the event virtually as General Manager (LCA Tejas Division) M Abdul Salam received the assemblies on behalf of HAL from Precision Manufacturing & Systems Complex unit of the L&T at Coimbatore, the Ministry of Defence said.
In his address, Sanjeev Kumar commended the efforts of the HAL and L&T towards achieving self-reliance.
‘Expand horizons’
The Secretary (Defence Production) hailed HAL for spearheading collaboration with different private sector partners, nurturing them and ensuring enhanced capability, stated the MoD. He expressed confidence in meeting the requirement of the production target for LCA Tejas and called for expanding horizons and focusing on reducing dependency on other countries.
CMD, HAL Dr DK Sunil termed it as a testament to years of dedicated hand-holding and a shared commitment to excellence from HAL and L&T. “HAL is working with suppliers, both large and SMEs, as an initiative towards achieving Aatmanirbharta in the aerospace and defence sector. HAL has effectively built a parallel aircraft structural assembly line in the private sector which will help in capacity augmentation of the LCA Tejas program,” he said.
Published on July 17, 2025
