The maiden flight of Tejas Mk1A jet at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)’s Nashik campus on Friday marked a key moment in India’s defence self-reliance, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, while also announcing that the country’s defence exports have reached a record Rs 25,000 crore.
Inaugurated the 3rd Production Line of LCA Mk1A & 2nd Production Line of HTT-40 at HAL Nashik today and Flagged off the first LCA Mk1A produced at the facility⁰⁰LCA Mk1A is a shining symbol of India’s growing Aatmanirbharta in defence. https://t.co/Uoa8rNrNr5 pic.twitter.com/i1Rszk6z9J
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 17, 2025
“Our defence export, which used to be less than 1,000 crore rupees, has now reached a record 25,000 crore rupees. We have now set a target to achieve 3 lakh crore rupees in domestic defence manufacturing and 50,000 crore rupees in defence exports by 2029: Defence Minister Shri @rajnathsingh,” Singh’s office shared in a post on X.
The defence minister inaugurated HAL`s third production line for Tejas Mk1A and the second production line for the HTT-40 aircraft, news agency ANI reported.
“Today marks the inauguration of HAL`s third production line for the Mk1A and the second production line for the HTT-40 aircraft. Congratulations to everyone on this occasion. The land of Nashik is historic — Lord Shiva resides here in the form of Trimbakeshwar. This land is not only one of faith and devotion but has now become a symbol of self-reliance. HAL here stands as a symbol of the nation`s defence strength,” said Singh.
Praising the transformation of the Nashik facility, he added, “Once, this place was known for producing MiG aircraft, but today it has become a modern production hub for Sukhoi jets. HAL has played the role of a strong pillar for India.”
Reflecting on the flights he witnessed, the defence minister said, “When I witnessed the flights of the SU-30, Mk1A, and HTT-40 today, my heart swelled with pride. This is a true example of self-reliance.”
Singh also drew a connection between Nashik’s spiritual heritage and its modern defence role.
“In this campus, one can see the spirit of Lord Shiva — on one hand, it represents defence manufacturing, and on the other, it embodies the power to destroy enemies,” stated the Union Minister.
LCA Mk1A, the advanced variant of Tejas, is a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet with improved combat avionics, air-to-air refuelling capabilities, and the ability to undertake air defence, ground attack, and maritime strike missions.
(With ANI inputs)