NASHIK: Defence minister
Rajnath Singh Friday reiterated that India’s defence ecosystem had demonstrated its growing confidence in indigenous platforms during
Operation Sindoor, when the Indian Air Force relied on domestically-built systems for critical missions.
Lauding defence PSU HAL's Nashik unit which integrated the Brahmos missiles with the Su30-Mki fighter, Singh said the Brahmos fired from Su-30 destroyed terror hideouts in Pakistan during Op Sindoor.
“In our security history, there have been few occasions when the entire system was tested simultaneously. Operation Sindoor was one such mission. HAL provided 24x7 support at operational sites, ensuring the IAF’s readiness by maintaining fighter jets and helicopters. The Nashik team’s installation of the BrahMos missile on the Su-30, which destroyed terrorist hideouts, proved that we can design, build, and defend ourselves with our own systems,” he said.
He described the Tejas-Mk1A’s flight as a “shining symbol of India’s growing Aatmanirbharta in defence” and praised HAL for transforming itself into the backbone of the sector.
Pointing to the defence sector’s transformation over the past decade, Singh said India, which once imported 65–70% of its military hardware, now manufactures about 65% of it domestically.
Defence production, he said, had risen from Rs 46,429 crore in 2014–15 to Rs 1.5-lakh-crore in 2024–25, while exports had climbed from less than Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 25,000 crore. The govt now aims for Rs 3-lakh-crore in production and Rs 50,000 crore in exports by 2029.
He urged HAL to expand its innovation into next-generation aircraft, unmanned systems, and civil aviation. “Modern warfare is evolving rapidly with artificial intelligence, drones, and cyber technologies. India must stay ahead in this race,” he said.
Secretary (defence production) Sanjeev Kumar said the inauguration of the two (HTT-40 and LCA) production lines in Nashik marks “a new chapter in India’s technological confidence and industrial strength.”
He added: “The Tejas-Mk1A is not just a fighter aircraft, but a statement of India’s design and manufacturing excellence—conceived, developed and produced indigenously through collaboration between HAL, ADA, DRDO, and the IAF.”
HAL CMD DK Sunil said the Nashik division’s expansion had created about 1,000 jobs and developed over 40 industry partners. “Our capacity to produce advanced indigenous fighters in addition to the Su-30Mki gives fresh momentum to delivery timelines and reinforces our public-private partnerships,” he said.
The event also featured a Tejas Mk1A sortie piloted by HAL chief test pilot (fixed wing) Group Captain (retd) KK Venugopal, followed by aerial displays by Su-30Mki and HTT-40 aircraft.
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Chethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of Indi...
Read MoreChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.
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