Latest news with #LCAMk-1A
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
India, France to collaborate on ₹61,000 cr deal for fighter engines
The Ministry of Defence has recommended a strategic partnership with France to co-develop next-generation fighter jet engines, a move expected to bring advanced capabilities in manufacturing and design to India, The Economic Times reported on Friday. Joint project to develop thrust engine Following an extensive consultation process, including detailed input from a technical committee that assessed all critical aspects of fighter jet engine manufacturing, the ministry concluded that French aerospace firm Safran offered the most beneficial terms. The recommendation is part of a ₹61,000 crore initiative to co-develop a 120 kilonewton (kN) thrust engine, intended for future combat platforms such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Safran's offer beats UK's Rolls Royce The government had evaluated proposals from Safran and the UK-based Rolls Royce. The French company's offer emerged as the frontrunner for two reasons: its alignment with the AMCA timeline and its commitment to full technology transfer. Safran's roadmap is expected to integrate with the developmental goals of the AMCA, and the partnership is seen as a step towards reducing India's dependence on imported propulsion systems. At the present moment, all Indian fighter aircraft rely on engines of foreign origin. A substantial portion of a fighter jet's cost goes into its engine and related maintenance. Kaveri project redirected for UCAV, marine use India has long pursued the goal of developing its own fighter jet engine under the Kaveri programme, managed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). However, the project did not reach completion, as the Kaveri engine failed to achieve the necessary thrust for fighter jet deployment. The Kaveri design has since been repurposed. A variant is being developed for Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), while the Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine (KMGT) is being tailored for smaller naval platforms. US delivers GE-F404 engines for LCA Mk-1A On July 15, India received the second GE-F404 engine from the United States for its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is overseeing the aircraft's assembly, expects to receive 12 more F404 engines this fiscal year to support the production of 83 LCA Mk-1A jets. The order, worth ₹48,000 crore, according to a report by The Hindustan Times, was placed by the Indian Air Force in 2021. HAL is also in advanced talks with GE Aerospace to locally co-produce the F414 engine, intended for the more powerful LCA Mk-2. The proposed deal, estimated at around $1 billion, includes up to 80 per cent technology transfer—an arrangement considered vital for engine ecosystem development in India.
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
HAL receives first set of wing assemblies for Tejas Mk-1A jets from L&T
The first set of wing assemblies for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A, produced by Larsen & Toubro, was handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore on (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar attended the event virtually as General Manager (LCA Tejas Division) while M Abdul Salam received the assemblies on behalf of HAL from the precision manufacturing and systems complex unit of L& his address, the Secretary (Defence Production) commended the efforts of HAL and L&T towards achieving self-reliance. He praised HAL for spearheading collaboration with different private sector partners, nurturing them and ensuring enhanced capability. Kumar expressed confidence in meeting the requirement of the production target for LCA Tejas. He called for expanding horizons and focusing on reducing dependency on other Chief Managing Director (CMD) Dr DK Sunil, who was present at the event, termed the handing over of LCA Mk-1A 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 (self-reliance) 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 programme," he Vice President and Head, L&T Precision Engineering and Systems Arun Ramchandani said, "L&T 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."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 and rudder assemblies from Tata Advanced Systems, centre fuselage assembly from VEM Technologies and wing assemblies from L&T for the LCA Mk-1A.- Ends
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
We are game for competition: HAL chief
The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), which will have to compete with private firms for manufacturing India's indigenous fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, has welcomed the government's move to involve private players. In May, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the execution model for AMCA and opened the doors for the private sector to compete with the Bengaluru-headquartered defence PSU to manufacture the indigenous fifth generation fighter jet. End of monopoly This move ended the monopoly which HAL enjoyed for years when it came to the building prototypes and manufacturing of fighter jets. HAL chairman and managing director D.K. Sunil said that the PSU had no problem with this move by the government. 'We have no problem with that; we are a very capable company and we are not really afraid of competition. The idea is to develop alternative players to HAL so we are ok with that. We will definitely participate [in the bidding] and we are willing to work with partners to see how to take it forward,' Dr. Sunil told The Hindu. 'I would not take it in a negative sense that our monopoly is ending in that sense. We are a government company and we have been working since 85 years in the interest of the nation; so I think we are ok with that. We do not see any issue in that,' he added. Under discussion Asked if HAL had responded to the Expression of Interest (EoI) issued by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which is executing the programme, Dr. Sunil said, 'The last date is sometime in August. So we will definitely work on this. We are still discussing, we are looking at the details of how the evaluation will be done. We have already issued an EoI to 21 of our partners who have responded that they are interested.' He added that there were three options before HAL — either to go solo or as a consortium, or go as a joint venture — and that it will evaluate and take a decision in the coming month. LCA delays On the delay in the delivery schedule for the LCA Mk-1A variant and on the criticism by Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, the HAL chairman reiterated that it was due to the GE Aerospace missing deadline for supply of engines. 'The primary reason is the engine. When he (IAF chief) mentioned in February (about not being confident of HAL during Aero India) we did not have a single engine from GE though the airframe was ready,' Dr. Sunil said. He added that the first engine came in April and that GE had promised the second engine in July. 'Apart from the engines we also have issues regarding the software, the radar, and the missiles. There have been some issues with iterations of the software so both these issues contributed but the engine was the most dominant,' he added.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HAL shares in focus as delay-hit Tejas jets to reach IAF by March
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd ( HAL ) shares will be in focus on Wednesday after CMD D.K. Sunil confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive at least six Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) by March 2026. The assurance comes amid concerns raised by the IAF over delays in the delivery schedule. Sunil attributed the delay to U.S.-based GE Aerospace, which missed deadlines for supplying the F404 engines that power the LCA Mk-1A variant. 'The aircraft are ready. As of today, we have six aircraft lined up, but the engine deliveries from GE Aerospace have not happened. They were supposed to deliver the engines in 2023, and so far, we've received only one,' Sunil said in an interview with PTI. He added that the delays were initially due to COVID-related disruptions and the exit of senior engineers, which caused supply chain bottlenecks. However, with technical issues now resolved, HAL expects to receive 12 engines during the current fiscal year, enabling deliveries to the IAF. 'Every company faces criticism. In our case, we're prepared — the jets are ready, and we'll deliver them by the end of this fiscal,' Sunil said. Live Events The IAF had earlier raised concerns about the delay in the induction of the LCA Mk-1A, with Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh highlighting the issue publicly. HAL now plans to produce 16 Tejas jets next year, provided the engine supply remains steady. Also Read: M&M, Coforge among 10 high-conviction stock ideas post Q4FY25 results that can rally up to 52% In February 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 48,000 crore contract with HAL to procure 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets. An additional order for 97 more jets, worth Rs 67,000 crore, is currently in the pipeline. The single-engine Tejas Mk-1A is designed to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet and bolster the IAF's squadron strength, which has declined to 31 from the sanctioned 42. The Tejas is a multi-role fighter equipped with advanced radar systems, electronic warfare suites, and a wide range of missiles. 'It's a potent platform with a full complement of avionics and weapons. It will serve the Air Force well,' Sunil said. Also Read: 11 Nifty mid & smallcap stocks that can rally 40-90% over the next 12 months Sunil also said HAL is in talks with several countries that have expressed interest in the Tejas aircraft. 'We hope to have a breakthrough soon,' he said, without naming the potential buyers. Additionally, HAL recently secured a major contract to supply 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand to the Indian military. The Rs 62,700 crore deal was finalised in March, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028. The Prachand is India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter, capable of operating at altitudes above 4,500 metres. ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
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Business Standard
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
HAL to deliver six Tejas jets to IAF by March amid engine supply delays
The Indian Air Force will get at least half-a-dozen Tejas Light Combat Aircraft by March 2026, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd CMD D K Sunil has said, weeks after the IAF chief flagged serious concerns over delays in the delivery of the jets. Sunil, chairperson and managing director of the aviation behemoth, attributed the delivery delays to US defence major GE Aerospace missing the deadline for supply of its engines to power the fighter jets. The slippage in the delivery schedule for the LCA Mk-1A variant of the jet had become a major issue with Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh raising the matter publicly. Sunil said the delay was caused only due to the US firm's inability to supply the F404 engines on time. In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos, the HAL chief said GE Aerospace is expected to supply 12 engines in the current fiscal. This will facilitate delivery of the jets to the IAF. "Every company goes through its fair share of criticisms. It does happen. Unfortunately, in the case of LCA Mark 1A, we have built the aircraft. As of today, we have six aircraft lined up," he said. "But the engine deliveries have not happened from GE Aerospace. They were to deliver the engines in 2023. Till date, we have got only one engine," he added. The delay from GE side was initially due to production timelines falling behind during the Covid pandemic, and the subsequent departure of many senior engineers from the company, causing cascading supply chain bottlenecks. According to Sunil, the technical issues with GE Aerospace have been sorted out and HAL is set to receive 12 jet engines by March 2026. "I can assure you that as of today, six aircraft are ready. There is no let up from our side. We are building those aircraft and getting them ready and we will be in a position to deliver (by this fiscal)," he said. HAL plans to produce 16 jets in the coming year provided there is steady flow of engine supplies by GE Aerospace. In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF. The ministry is also in the process of procuring 97 more LCA Mk-1As at a cost around Rs 67,000 crore. The single-engine Mk-1A will be a replacement for the IAF's MiG-21 fighters. The IAF is looking at inducting the warplanes as the number of its fighter squadrons has gone down to 31 from officially sanctioned strength of 42. Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments. It has been designed to undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles. Sunil said the Tejas Mk-1A is a world class aircraft comprising a high-quality radar, electronic warfare suites and an array of missiles. "It has got a full complement of avionics and weapons which make the aircraft a very potent platform. It will be very good for our Air Force," he said. Sunil said a number of countries have evinced interest in the Tejas jet and the HAL is holding talks with some of them. "We are talking to many countries on Tejas. I hope we will have a breakthrough soon," he said, declining to elaborate further. He also talked about HAL winning a mega contract to supply Prachand helicopters to the Indian military. In March, the defence ministry firmed up the procurement of 156 light combat helicopter Prachand from the HAL at a cost of Rs 62,700 crore to bolster the combat capability of the military. The HAL top executive said the delivery of Prachand will begin in 2028. Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand is India's first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter having capability of operating at an altitude of over 4500 metres.
