As per reports by Alpha Defense, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has completed the first pair of Tejas fighter aircraft wings manufactured entirely outside the public sector — a historic milestone for India’s aerospace industry. This marks the first time a private Indian company has produced this critical flight structure, and an official handover event is awaited.
Alpha Defense reports that L&T successfully built the wings, meeting all stringent structural and quality specifications. This achievement signals the growing capabilities of India’s private sector in high-end aerospace manufacturing, previously dominated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Jet wings are complex, flight-critical assemblies that bear aerodynamic loads, house fuel systems, hydraulics, and control linkages, demanding precision engineering and advanced tooling. L&T achieved this using technologies like automated fiber placement, autoclave curing, and ultrasonic drilling to adhere to global aerospace standards, according to Alpha Defense.
HAL’s modular production strategy for the Tejas Mk1A involves sourcing key components from private partners: Dynamatic Technologies supplies the front fuselage, VEM Technologies the mid-section, Alpha Tocol the rear fuselage, and Tata Advanced Systems the tailfins and rudders. With L&T now delivering the wings, nearly the entire airframe is sourced from private industry, while HAL remains the final integrator.
The Alpha Defense report emphasizes that L&T’s milestone aligns with India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. It enables faster Tejas deliveries, strengthens the aerospace supply chain, and reduces dependence on the public sector.
Once the formal handover is completed, it will mark a defining moment for Indian aerospace — the first flight-critical Tejas component from a private production line. This development not only enhances India’s manufacturing depth but also boosts its path to self-reliance and competitiveness in global defense markets.
