Hyderabad: City-based VEM Technologies handed over the first centre fuselage (CF) assembly for the light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk1A to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Friday, marking a significant milestone in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. The handover took place in Hyderabad in the presence of Sanjeev Kumar, secretary, defence production, ministry of defence; DK Sunil, chairman and managing director, HAL; and Abdul Salam, general manager (LCA Tejas), who received the assembly from V Venkata Raju, chairman and managing director, VEM Technologies. Speaking on the occasion, Sanjeev Kumar highlighted that the collaboration between HAL and VEM Technologies is accelerating the production of the LCA Mk1A. He emphasised the govt’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in defence under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. “India’s defence production is growing at 10% annually, with strong growth in exports as well. This would not be possible without the support of industry partners and public sector undertakings like HAL,” he said. Sunil described the handover as a major milestone. “We are witnessing rapid growth in tier 1 and MSME suppliers contributing to the LCA Tejas programme. This CF delivery from VEM Technologies marks the establishment of a fourth production line for LCA Mk1A, in addition to the two existing lines in HAL Bengaluru and one in HAL Nashik. With more sub-assemblies in the pipeline, we are on track to scale up production and ensure timely deliveries to the Indian Air Force,” he said. Sanjay Chawla, director general (AQA), and his team, who serve as the final acceptance authority for airborne products in military aviation, played a key role in supporting and certifying the defect-free CF assembly. Venkata Raju said, “We have established a dedicated hangar with two assembly lines, and a third robotic jig-based setup will be operational by end of 2025.” In addition to CF, VEM Technologies is also building fuel drop tanks and pylon assemblies for the LCA Tejas.