The North News
New Delhi, October 17
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated two new aircraft production lines at the Nashik facility of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), hailing the expansion as a “symbol of India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.” The Defence Minister flagged off the first HAL Tejas Mk1A produced on the third assembly line and opened a second production line for HAL HTT-40 trainer aircraft. He said the milestone marked a decisive step in the government’s push to manufacture 100% of India’s military equipment domestically.
“When we came to power in 2014, we realised that without self-reliance, we can never be truly secure,” Singh told a gathering at Nashik. “We have reduced our import dependency and are now manufacturing what we once bought from abroad — fighter aircraft, missiles, engines and electronic warfare systems.”
Rajnath Singh credited a decade of reforms for transforming India’s defence sector, noting that domestic production has grown from ₹46,429 crore in 2014–15 to ₹1.5 lakh crore in 2024–25, with exports reaching a record ₹25,000 crore. The government, he said, aims to double those figures by 2029.
The Defence Minister underscored the evolving nature of warfare, pointing to AI, drones and cyber technology. “India must always stay ahead in this new race,” he said, urging HAL to expand into next-generation systems and civil aviation.
Praising HAL as the “backbone of India’s defence sector,” the Defence Minister highlighted the company’s role during Operation Sindoor, when it provided 24-hour support for the air force, installing BrahMos missiles on Su-30 jets to strike terrorist hideouts. HAL Nashik has a long history of manufacturing and overhauling fighter jets, including Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, Mikoyan MiG-27 and Sukhoi Su-30MKI. Rajnath Singh called the campus “a glowing symbol of self-reliance.”
The Tejas and HTT-40 production expansion, officials said, reflects close cooperation between government, industry and academia. The Nashik plant also houses a joint maintenance, repair and overhaul facility expected to generate new jobs in the region.
Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), described the move as “a new chapter in HAL’s journey,” strengthening India’s aerospace base and boosting its technological confidence.
