Tejas production by June

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will begin manufacturing the first batch of eight of the limited series of the light combat aircraft or the LCA (Tejas) for the IAF by June 2006, said A K Saxena, managing director, Bangalore complex, HAL. But, before that HAL will fly the LCA PV3 (prototype vehicle), which will happen soon. The preparations are in final stages, he said.

The protracted indigenous LCA programme had received a major boost from a government contract received by the HAL for the production of the limited series.

HAL is also set to play a greater role in space technology by assuming a part in India's space programme with Madhavan Nair, chairman of ISRO encouraging the move.

HAL has developed the liquid propellant strap-on L-40 motors that give the initial thrust to the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the L-100 in the Geo-Stationary Launch Vehicle (GSLV), Saxena said.

Substantial progress has also been made in current projects like Dhruv "" the advanced light helicopter (ALH), the intermediate jet trainer (IJT) and, various military and civil upgrades, he said.

HAL is also set to begin production of the single-seater fighter bomber "" Jaguar soon.