New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited possesses the technical capability and infrastructure required to manufacture Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Sukhoi-57, domestically, according to the state-run aerospace firm’s Chairman and Managing Director, Ravi K. The prospect of local production aligns with bilateral discussions held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during their recent bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi. As India pursues direct technology transfer agreements to bolster the Indian Air Force’s depleting fighter fleet, HAL stands positioned as the principal domestic partner to absorb and execute the production line.
Reflecting on domestic readiness, Ravi noted that HAL previously manufactured the Sukhoi-30MKI, leaving roughly 40 percent of the required manufacturing infrastructure and specialized technical manpower already in place, subject to targeted additional investments assessed by a visiting Russian technical delegation. Beyond potential fifth-generation partnerships, the company is actively pushing to finalize the long-delayed Tejas Mark-1A program. The indigenous platform is undergoing final integration evaluations for advanced radar and missile configurations, with deliveries anticipated to begin within the coming months once the remaining five percent of IAF operational specifications are fully met.
To address production backlogs for the 180 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft ordered by the IAF, HAL aims to scale manufacturing output to between 24 and 30 jets annually starting in 2027. Currently, 27 airframes have been completed, while 10 F404 aero-engines have been supplied by American manufacturer General Electric, with additional units slated for delivery by December. Commercial negotiations regarding the joint venture with GE Aerospace to co-produce the F414 engine for the upcoming Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 are scheduled to advance following a commercial offer expected by October.
The defense public sector undertaking is also advancing several rotary-wing programs without significant operational obstacles, including orders for 156 Light Combat Helicopters and the pending final clearances for the Light Utility Helicopter due by year-end. Reinforcing training and utility infrastructure, HAL is scheduled to hand over two Tejas twin-seater trainers and the initial batch of HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft to the IAF in Bengaluru, alongside four next-generation Dhruv helicopters delivered to commercial operator Pawan Hans Limited.
