VEM Technologies, a key player in India’s private defense manufacturing sector, is set to deliver its first Centre Fuselage (CF) assembly for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on May 30. The delivery marks a significant achievement in India’s drive toward self-reliance in defense production, aligned with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The Centre Fuselage is a vital structural component of the Tejas Mk-1A, composed of 1,595 mechanical and composite parts. It has been certified by HAL’s Quality Control division and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), attesting to its adherence to stringent aerospace standards.
To achieve this, VEM Technologies has utilized its advanced production capabilities, including hi-precision machinery, metallurgical processing, pneumo-hydraulic systems, and electro-optics integration. The company established a dedicated production line for the Centre Fuselage in 2021 to support current and future requirements from the Indian Air Force.
The LCA Tejas Mk-1A is an upgraded version of India’s indigenous fighter jet, featuring advanced technologies such as an AESA radar, modern avionics, self-protection jammers, and enhanced electronic warfare systems. The Mk-1A currently includes 62% indigenous content by value, a figure expected to exceed 70% in the upcoming Tejas Mk-2 variant.
This handover highlights the increasing involvement of private firms like VEM Technologies in building India’s defense capabilities. The collaboration with HAL illustrates a growing and resilient domestic aerospace ecosystem, essential for meeting the modernization needs of the Indian Air Force and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers amid global supply chain constraints.
The official delivery event on May 30 will be a moment of national pride, reflecting India’s progress in aerospace manufacturing and its strategic focus on technological self-sufficiency.
