Overview

• HAL said the second centre fuselage for the LCA Tejas Mk1A was handed over by VEM Technologies on 4 September.
• VEM produced the unit in roughly three months after its first delivery on 30 May, manufacturing 1,595 parts that passed staged HAL inspections.
• Final integration of the fuselage occurs at HAL’s Bengaluru facility following VEM’s part manufacture, special processes, inspection and assembly.
• HAL indicated three more centre fuselages are likely within this financial year as VEM adds a robotic jig and targets output of one unit per month.
• HAL plans to deliver the first two Mk1A fighters to the IAF in October subject to weapon-firing trials, with past delays linked to engine supplies from a US firm.