Nashik, Oct. 16 -- Aiming to fast-track deliveries of the Mark 1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has established the third production line for the planes at Nashik, Maharashtra. The first LCA Mark 1A aircraft produced by the Nashik facility will be showcased to the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday.

The facility, HAL officials said, will help the firm to supply the 180 LCA Mark 1A aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force by the scheduled timeframe of 2032-33. The facility, which has the capacity to produce eight aircraft per annum, can be extended to 10 aircraft per year.

The establishment of the third Line of LCA at its Aircraft Manufacturing Division in Nasik commenced in 202...