HAL inaugurates its third Tejas Jet assembly line
On Friday, the Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) in Bengaluru received the inauguration of a third production line by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.
Currently, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has two assembly lines for LCA in Bengaluru. These assembly lines enable HAL to produce 16 Tejas fighters annually without
According to the chairman and managing director of HAL, C B Ananthakrishnan, the company will have the capability to increase the production capacity of Tejas Mark 1A from 16 to 24 aircraft yearly with the introduction of the new line.
The Indian Air Force has ordered 40 Tejas Mark 1 and 83 Tejas Mark 1A fighters from HAL, and it is crucial to expedite their production to free up the Tejas assembly lines for the manufacturing of six squadrons of Tejas Mark 2 aircraft. According to senior officials at HAL and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the production of Tejas Mark 2 is not expected to commence until 2027-28.
The process of creating the Tejas Mark 2 will require the replacement of the current General Electric F-404 engine with the more powerful GE F-414, as well as upgrades to the avionics and weaponry. It is estimated that it will take until 2025 to complete the prototype development, followed by an additional two to three years for flight-testing and production preparations.
At present, HAL is striving to retain the production lines engaged until 2028 by fulfilling the IAF's request for 83 Tejas Mark I-A
The Mark 1A is expected to have greater speed and maneuverability compared to the existing model.
To improve the speed and agility of the current Mark I fighter, the Mark 1A is proposed. The development of this fighter would require the reduction of 800 kg in weight, specifically in areas such as the landing gear which are currently designed to be overly robust for safety reasons.
HAL has suggested removing 300 kg of weight that is currently spread out across the Mark I in order to create a more evenly balanced fighter.
Sukhoi-3OMKI overhauled
Today, the Indian defence secretary presented the Indian Air Force with the 100th Sukhoi-3OMKI fighter plane after it had undergone repair and overhaul at HAL's Nashik Division.
The speaker praised the actions of HAL in creating a ROH center for the Su-30MKI and a new production line for LCA manufacturing, acknowledging the significance of the Indian government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat policies and HAL's important role in implementing them.
Despite facing supply chain problems due to the present geopolitical situation, HAL's Nashik unit has successfully reached the highest capacity for overhauling 20 Sukhoi-30MKI planes annually.
In 2014, the Nashik division established a unique ROH facility for their 272 Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft, making it the first of its kind worldwide. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with the help of the Indian Air Force (IAF), regulatory bodies, and private industries, gained expertise in ROH technology after producing and repairing MiG-series and Sukhoi-3OMKI fighters.
Girish Linganna
Aerospace & Defence Analyst
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Metro ridership in Haryana sees over 13 pc rise in 2025-26
Chandigarh (PTI): Haryana's urban transit system witnessed a strong growth in 2025-26, with metro ridership registering a robust 13.55 per cent increase, the state government said in a statement on Thursday.
The progress was reviewed in the 64th board meeting of Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation (HMRTC) chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi.
Between April 2025 and February 2026, the metro network recorded over 1.74 crore passengers, compared to 1.53 crore in the corresponding period the previous year.
July recorded the highest monthly growth at 22.93 per cent, while all months showed consistent positive trends.
Financial performance has also remained strong, with fare revenue rising 12.64 per cent till January 2026, the statement said.
Non-fare revenue surged by 108 per cent, driven by effective monetisation of station spaces, advertisements and commercial activities, resulting in an operating surplus for Rapid Metro.
Further initiatives, including the auction of station naming rights and additional advertisement sites, are expected to strengthen HMRTC's financial position, the statement said.
Appreciating the performance, Rastogi stated that the consistent rise in ridership and revenue reflects the success of Haryana's integrated transport strategy, rising commuter confidence and a clear shift towards public transport.
HMRTC Managing Director Chander Shekhar Khare said that, alongside operational gains, the state is making steady progress on an ambitious pipeline of metro and regional transit projects.
Metro connectivity from Gurugram Sector 56 to Panchgaon is under active consideration, with Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited studying the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and layout plan, and finalising a depot location in Sector 36A near Sihi village, he said.
The Gurugram-Faridabad Namo Bharat corridor has achieved a key milestone, with alignment and station locations finalised and approved by the Haryana government. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation is preparing the DPR, he added.
Similarly, the Delhi-Kundli metro extension is proposed to be placed before the Haryana Cabinet for approval.
The 136.3-kilometre Delhi-Panipat-Karnal RRTS Corridor has also progressed, with the revised DPR submitted for financial concurrence ahead of Haryana Cabinet consideration.
Within Gurugram, DPR preparation has been approved for key intra-city corridors, including the 17.09-kilometre Bhondsi-Subhash Chowk-Rajeev Chowk-Sohna Chowk Railway Station corridor, enhancing connectivity along Sohna Road, Khare said.
