Dynamatic delivers Tejas fuselage to HAL: In a significant step that will encourage private defence companies to participate in high-tech defence and aerospace industry, India’s Dynamatic Technologies Monday delivered a key component to the country’s state owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Bengaluru based Dynamatic Technologies Monday delivered the first front fuselage for the final operational clearance (FOC) version of India’s own light combat aircraft LCA Tejas.
“This is the first time a complex fuselage section for a supersonic fighter aircraft has been built by a private sector company,” the company said in a statement.
Dynamatic Technologies has been working with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for over three decades on all the major platforms produced by the state owned aircraft manufacturer.
India’s defence secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, who pushed for greater indigenisation of defence production in the country during his stint as secretary defence production, joined the handing over ceremony from New Delhi through a video link.
Tejas front fuselage manufactured by Dynamatic Technologies delivered to HAL
“I think this is the model for PSU Private Industry partnership in Defence Aerospace sector and we hope that this example will hold good stead for several other partnerships by HAL and other PSUs as well,” said Dr Ajay Kumar.
India’s top civilian defence officer expressed optimism that the country’s own light combat aircraft will continue to grow as the country is working towards a heavier twin-engine medium weight combat aircraft to replace India’s aging fleet of Soviet era fighter jets.
“The future generations of LCA will continuously grow. And we continue to see this as an evolutionary journey which will take India to newer heights in the fighter jet aircraft segment,”defence secretary added.
Dynamatic Technologies delivers Tejas fuselage to HAL
Tejas fuselage delivery ceremony in Banglore, India.
While appreciating the timely delivery of the key component for Tejas fighter jet, HAL Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan highlighted the opportunities available for private defence companies in the country’s combat aircraft and drone programmes.
“The LCA program has a requirement of 20 Aircraft sets per year and will grow with MK2 and AMCA,” Madhavan said on the occasion.
“Dynamatic is a known and reliable supplier for HAL, and we will also look for opportunities on trainer and UAV platforms,” R Madhvan said.
Udayant Malhoutra, CMD, Dynamatic Technologies
Udayant Malhoutra, CEO and Managing Director of Dynamatic Technologies said the industrialization of India’s light combat aircraft programme has gone through several upgrades during the development process.
He said manufacturing of entire fuselage of a fighter aircraft by a private manufacturer was a first for the country.
“This is the FOC version with a mid-air refueling probe, and is a tremendous success story both for indigenous defence production, and for public-private-partnership with HAL,” Malhoutra noted.
