Interview With HAL MD Dr D K Sunil At Paris Air Show

HAL Chairman Dr. DK Sunil’s Interview at Paris Air Present 2025: Main Updates on India’s Indigenous Fighter Plane Applications

This interview offered complete insights into the present standing and future trajectory of the TEJAS MK-1A and TEJAS MK-2 packages, marking necessary milestones in India’s pursuit of aerospace self-reliance beneath the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

HAL Chairman Dr. DK Sunil: Management Profile

Dr. DK Sunil, who assumed the function of Chairman and Managing Director of HAL in September 2024, brings intensive experience to India’s premier aerospace firm.

With 37 years of expertise at HAL since becoming a member of as a Administration Trainee in 1987, Dr. Sunil has been instrumental in advancing India’s aerospace capabilities. His distinguished profession consists of pioneering work in Mission Fight Techniques R&D Centre in Bangalore, the place he led floor breaking tasks akin to Lively ESA Radar, Automated Flight Management System for Gentle Fight Helicopter (LCH), and Mission Computer systems for helicopter and fighter platforms.

Beneath his management as Director of Engineering and R&D, HAL efficiently obtained army certification for the HTT-40 plane program and secured pivotal tasks together with the Indigenous Multi-Function Helicopter (IMRH) for the Indian Air Power and Military.

TEJAS MK-1A Manufacturing Enlargement: Strategic Capability Constructing: Present Manufacturing Infrastructure

The TEJAS MK-1A program represents a cornerstone of India’s indigenous fighter plane manufacturing capabilities. HAL has strategically established a multi-facility manufacturing community to satisfy the Indian Air Power’s necessities beneath the ₹48,000 crore contract signed in February 2021 for 83 plane.

The corporate at present operates two established manufacturing traces at its Bangalore facility, which have been the first manufacturing hubs for the TEJAS program. These Bangalore services have demonstrated constant manufacturing capabilities, with the primary manufacturing line established at a price of ₹1,556 crore and the second line sanctioned in March 2017 with an funding of ₹1,381.04 crore.

Third Manufacturing Line At HAL Nashik

The institution of the third manufacturing line at HAL’s Nashik facility marks a major milestone in scaling up India’s fighter plane manufacturing capability. This facility, inaugurated on April 7, 2023, represents a strategic funding of ₹150 crore and is designed to supply eight TEJAS plane yearly.

The Nashik manufacturing line is anticipated to turn out to be totally operational by the primary trimester of 2025, with the primary TEJAS MK-1A from this facility scheduled to roll out in June 2025. This enlargement will increase HAL’s whole manufacturing capability from the present 16 plane per yr to 24 plane yearly, representing a 50% improve in manufacturing functionality.

Manufacturing Timeline And Supply Schedule

The Nashik facility’s timeline has skilled some changes because of provide chain challenges, significantly relating to the supply of F404-IN20 engines from Normal Electrical. The primary F404-IN20 engine for the MK-1A plane was delivered solely in March 2025, practically two years behind the unique schedule. Regardless of these challenges, HAL is dedicated to assembly its supply obligations, with expectations to ship 12 TEJAS MK-1A plane to the Indian Air Power in 2025. The corporate has applied capability enlargement methods throughout all meeting traces to not solely pace up execution of current orders but in addition put together for added orders and export market alternatives.

TEJAS MK-2 Improvement: Subsequent-Technology Fighter Plane: Prototype Improvement Standing

The TEJAS MK-2 program represents India’s bold step towards creating a extra superior, medium-weight fighter plane. In response to HAL officers, the structural meeting of the primary prototype plane is at present beneath progress, with over 60% of the plane’s construction accomplished as of early 2025. The prototype improvement is being carried out at HAL’s Bangalore facility, leveraging the present provider community from the TEJAS Mk1 program to make sure high quality and effectivity. The centre fuselage and wings have been efficiently built-in, whereas the entrance and rear fuselage sections are nearing completion.

Technical Specs And Capabilities

The TEJAS MK-2 is designed as a 4.5-generation multi-role fight plane with considerably enhanced capabilities in comparison with its predecessors. The plane encompasses a 17,500kg airframe powered by a single Normal Electrical F414-INS6 engine able to producing 22,000lb of thrust. Key enhancements embody close-coupled canards for improved stability and manoeuvrability, superior avionics techniques together with the indigenous Uttam GaN-based Lively Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and an Infrared Search and Observe (IRST) system. The plane’s design incorporates a lowered frontal Radar Cross Part (RCS), reported to be one-fourth that of the TEJAS MK-1, considerably enhancing its stealth capabilities.

Improvement Timeline And Manufacturing Plans

The rollout of the TEJAS MK-2 prototype is deliberate for 2026, with the primary flight scheduled for the primary quarter of 2026. HAL has adopted a measured strategy to the rollout, choosing a low-key technical milestone focus fairly than ceremonial fanfare to expedite the testing part. The event program consists of plans for 4 prototypes to be constructed between 2025 and 2027, with remaining operational clearance focused for 2028. Manufacturing is anticipated to start by 2028-2029, with the Indian Air Power planning to induct the plane into service by 2030. The preliminary manufacturing goal goals for 110-120 plane, with potential orders for as much as 210 extra models to kind six squadrons.

Strategic Implications And Business Impression: Atmanirbhar Bharat And Self-Reliance

The developments outlined in Dr. Sunil’s interview underscore India’s dedication to reaching self-reliance in defence manufacturing beneath the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The TEJAS MK-2 program significantly emphasises indigenous content material, with over 82% indigenous parts initially and projections to surpass 90% with localised engine manufacturing. This strategic strategy positions India as a major participant within the international aerospace and defence market whereas decreasing dependence on overseas suppliers.

Manufacturing Capability And Future Progress

HAL’s enlargement technique extends past present packages, with the corporate planning further capability enhancements. The group has outlined a complete CAPEX plan for the subsequent 5 years, estimated at ₹14,000-15,000 crore, translating to a mean annual funding of ₹3,000 crore. This funding technique goals to scale manufacturing capability from 24 to probably 32 plane yearly with plans for a fourth manufacturing line at Nashik. The improved manufacturing capabilities will allow HAL to pursue export markets aggressively whereas assembly home necessities.

Challenges And Strategic Options: Provide Chain Administration

The TEJAS packages have confronted vital challenges associated to produce chain administration, significantly in engine deliveries. HAL has dominated out engine swaps for the TEJAS MK-1A amid F404 provide delays, sustaining dedication to the F404-IN20 engine with expectations of stabilized deliveries by 2026. The corporate has labored carefully with Normal Electrical and the Ministry of Defence to handle these bottlenecks and guarantee program continuity.

High quality And Certification

The transition from improvement to full-scale manufacturing requires rigorous high quality management and certification processes. HAL has applied complete testing protocols for each the MK-1A and MK-2 packages, guaranteeing compliance with army requirements and operational necessities. The corporate’s strategy emphasises technical excellence over pace, prioritizing long-term program success and operational effectiveness.

Conclusion

The interview with HAL Chairman Dr. DK Sunil on the Paris Air Present 2025 reveals vital progress in India’s indigenous fighter plane packages. The TEJAS MK-1A manufacturing enlargement to 24 plane per yr via the brand new Nashik facility demonstrates HAL’s dedication to assembly Indian Air Power necessities whereas constructing export capabilities.

The TEJAS MK-2 program’s development towards its 2026 prototype rollout represents India’s evolution towards extra refined aerospace applied sciences. These developments collectively place India as an rising aerospace energy, able to designing, creating, and manufacturing world-class fighter plane whereas contributing to nationwide safety and financial progress via the defence sector.

Vayu Aerospace Report