Hyderabad: In a boost to India’s light combat aircraft (LCA) programme, city-based VEM Technologies on Sept 4 handed over the second centre fuselage assembly of the Tejas Mk1A to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), just three months after delivering the first unit.HAL chairman and managing director DK Sunil said, “We are pleased with the development of the Indian private sector in supporting the LCA Mk 1A programme. We are on track to scale up production and ensure timely deliveries.” The quick turnaround underlines the scaling-up of production capacity. VEM delivered the first fuselage in May, and officials confirmed that three more units are expected within this financial year. The centre fuselage is a semi-monocoque structure made of metallic and carbon fibre composite materials. Built entirely at VEM’s Hyderabad facility, the module reflects the growing capability of Indian private industry in high-end defence manufacturing. The Tejas Mk1A airframe consists of five major structural modules—front, centre, and rear fuselage, along with the left and right wings. While VEM is responsible for the centre fuselage, other private firms in Bengaluru and Coimbatore are producing the remaining modules. With successive deliveries from VEM, the LCA programme is witnessing a marked expansion of private sector participation, signalling a stronger indigenous defence ecosystem.
