From Tejas to AMCA: HAL’s expanding role in India’s defence ecosystem

Interview with D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL

With record revenues, key platform deliveries and international tie-ups, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is advancing its role in India’s aerospace sector. D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL tells Biz@India about its progress on Tejas Mk2, AMCA and engine manufacturing collaborations.

How did HAL perform operationally in the last fiscal year?

In the last fiscal year, HAL delivered a strong operational performance, marked by recordbreaking achievements and sustained production across platforms. For its consistent performance year-onyear, HAL received the prestigious “Maharatna” Central Public Sector Unit status.

HAL also achieved its highestever revenue from operations in the last fiscal year, marking a significant milestone driven by consistent order execution and growing demand for indigenous defence platforms. On the production front, HAL achieved various milestones with the continued production of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, Do-228 aircraft, engines and accessories. HAL also successfully overhauled and undertook upgrades of Do-228, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 fleets, engines and accessories.

HAL’s order book witnessed significant growth with major contracts awarded for platforms such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Su-30 MKI, as well as engines and avionics upgrades, reflecting strong customer confidence and continued demand across services.

On the export side, HAL continued to strengthen its footprint with components, platforms and services being delivered to clients in Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America. There was a steady progress in indigenous engine development and unmanned systems in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other partners. HAL’s futuristic programmes such as Twin-Engine Deck based Fighter (TEDBF), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) are advancing at a good pace.

Overall, HAL demonstrated operational resilience, strengthened indigenous manufacturing capabilities, and reinforced its strategic role in India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem.

What has been the response from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other defence stakeholders to Tejas?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and other defence stakeholders have consistently endorsed Tejas as a critical element in India’s future airpower, particularly the more advanced Mk1A and the upcoming Mk2 variants. Tejas represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing under its self reliance initiative.

The IAF has inducted two squadrons of Tejas Mk1 and has placed an order for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, with the first delivery on track for FY 2024–25. HAL is committed to delivering the first batch of Tejas Mk1A aircraft by December 2025, and has taken concrete steps to overcome production bottlenecks and streamline delivery timelines.

Tejas has earned praise for its agility, excellent handling characteristics, and relaxed static stability. The indigenous fly-bywire system, combined with the aircraft’s manoeuvrability, enhances its responsiveness and operational performance. The Tejas Mk1A, equipped with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, and compatibility with modern weapons such as Advanced ShortRange Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) and Python, positions it as a capable 4.5-generation fighter.

The aircraft has demonstrated its combat readiness and reliability through participation in joint exercises, air shows, and operational deployments, reinforcing its credibility among users and prospective global customers. The IAF has actively participated in the developmental process through structured feedback and Joint Project Monitoring Teams (JPMTs), ensuring alignment with operational requirements. The strong backing of the IAF, DRDO, and Ministry of Defence (MoD) has also enhanced export potential, with several countries showing interest in the platform.

Tejas thus stands as a testament to India’s growing aerospace capability, merging innovation, operational utility, and strategic autonomy, and is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s defence preparedness and global aerospace standing.

Are there any upgraded or future versions of the Tejas currently under development? What is the current status of these projects?

Yes, several upgraded and future variants of the Tejas fighter aircraft are currently under development as part of India’s broader vision to strengthen indigenous combat aviation capabilities.

The Tejas Mk2, developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) with HAL as the prime design partner, is in an advanced stage of design and development. Featuring a more powerful GE F414 engine, enhanced payload capacity, greater range, sensor fusion, stealth elements, and upgraded avionics, the Mk2 is expected to roll out its prototype in 2025, followed by its first flight in 2026. It is intended to replace the IAF’s aging Mirage-2000, Jaguar and MiG-29 fleets.

Beyond Tejas, what are the latest developments in HAL’s portfolio?

In addition to the Tejas fighter jet programme, HAL has been making significant progress across a range of indigenous aircraft platforms, further strengthening India’s aerospace capabilities and self-reliance in defence.

The LCA Tejas Trainer is currently under production, with deliveries aligned to support the Tejas Mk1A fleet for both training and combat roles. HAL has commenced production of the fully indigenous HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft, with 70 planes ordered by the IAF to replace imported trainers.

The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), meant to replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak fleet, is ready for induction, with production underway at HAL’s Tumakuru facility. The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’ has already been inducted into both the IAF and the Indian Army, designed for high-altitude operations with stealth and night-fighting capabilities. HAL has commenced production of 156 LCH order by Indian Air Force and Indian Army.

f 156 LCH order by Indian Air Force and Indian Army. HAL is continuing the production of the Dornier Do-228 aircraft for both defence and civil use, with its civil version now certified under the Government’s UDAN scheme to enhance regional air connectivity. The Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), a 13-tonne twin-engine helicopter intended to replace the Mi-17 fleet, is under design and development, with prototype rollout targeted by FY 2026–27. In the unmanned systems domain, HAL is advancing the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) programme, which includes the CATS Warrior, a loyal wingman-type UAV, and other systems such as the CATS Hunter and ALFA-S for loitering munitions and swarming operations, all of which are currently in various prototype stages.

Has HAL entered into any new partnerships or collaborations with international or domestic aerospace and defence companies recently?

Yes, HAL has recently entered into several key partnerships and collaborations with both international and domestic aerospace and defence companies, aimed at advancing selfreliance, technology absorption and global competitiveness.

HAL has strengthened its international and domestic collaborations to enhance indigenous aerospace capabilities. In a significant move, HAL signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Aerospace (USA) to produce GE F414 engines in India for the LCA Tejas Mk2 programme, marking a step forward in jet engine manufacturing under technology transfer. In partnership with France’s Safran Helicopter Engines, HAL has also formed a 50:50 joint venture, Safhal Helicopter Engines for the indigenous design and development of engines for the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and DeckBased Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH). Furthering its ties with Safran, HAL signed a long-term contract during Aero India 2025 with Safran Aircraft Engines (SAE) for the supply of turbine forged parts for SAE’s LEAP engines. Domestically, HAL continues to work closely with DRDO and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) on critical programmes such as the LCA Mk2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), engaging in joint R&D, prototyping and the integration of advanced indigenous technologies.

In addition, HAL has partnered with a number of private Indian companies and startups under frameworks like iDEX and Make-II to co-develop niche technologies and subsystems, including AI-powered systems, UAV payloads and avionics components. The company also works with over 6,300 private firms, including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), forming a robust supply chain that contributes components, sub-assemblies and services for platforms such as the LCA Tejas, ALH Dhruv, Do-228 and Su-30MKI.