Nashik: In a significant step towards strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem, the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) has granted flight clearance to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A produced at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik division.
The clearance was issued by the Office of the Additional Director General (OADG), Nashik, marking a major milestone in decentralised fighter aircraft production. The Flight Clearance Document was formally handed over to HAL Nashik’s Executive Director by the Additional Director General, AQA.
Also Read: India Achieves INR 1.51 Lakh Crore in Defence Production, Private Sector’s Share 23 Per Cent
Nashik, historically known for manufacturing and sustaining India’s fighter fleets, now emerges as a vital hub for indigenous aircraft production. This facility hosts the third LCA production line outside Bengaluru, enabling faster production cycles, greater operational flexibility, and improved defence readiness.
The decentralisation strategy is aligned with India’s goals of achieving strategic autonomy and strengthening aerospace self-reliance.
Tejas Mk1A Clearance: OADG Nashik Plays Key Role
The OADG Nashik played a key role in the Tejas Mk1A manufacturing process by successfully implementing the Transfer of Technology (ToT), redesigning tools and fixtures, modernising work centres, and introducing advanced aerospace manufacturing philosophies.
Also Read: Defence Acquisition Council Clears INR 67000 Crore Defence Proposals, Focus on Indigenous Drones
The team maintained stringent quality standards throughout production, delivering over 5,000 precision components, in-house loom assemblies, and conducting rigorous testing of Line Replacement Units (LRUs).
To ensure a flawless transition from assembly to flight readiness, the team provided round-the-clock support for Right-First-Time ground runs, snag resolution, and final system checks, ultimately leading to the successful flight clearance of the Tejas Mk1A.
This achievement underscores HAL’s and DGAQA’s commitment to producing world-class indigenous fighter aircraft and marks another leap in India’s journey towards defence manufacturing excellence.
