Bengaluru | Defence Minister inaugurates second plant of LCA in HAL

Agencies
February 2, 2021

Bengaluru, Feb 2: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the second plant of HAL’s LCA Division here on Tuesday.

In his inaugural address, he lauded the efforts made by HAL to increase the production capacity of LCA which is going to be the backbone of IAF fighter fleet in years to come. “HAL’s new LCA facility is an example of how ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ is shaping and HAL deserves the largest indigenous order of 83 LCA Mk-IA.

He said that "LCA is pride of India and sends the right message to others that India can make fighters of class in-house. The fighter is superior in many ways when compared to others fighters in its category besides being cost effective. I compliment HAL for working through the COVID times and bringing out this facility. The Company has a lot of talent and more orders should come in its way in future. We cannot depend on others on security issues and therefore will make HAL stronger, whatever it takes”, he added.

Mr Raj Kumar, Secretary, Defence Production said HAL has taken timely steps proactively to set up the facility well ahead of receiving the order.

HAL, CMD R Madhavan said the Defence Minister’s visit is a great moral booster to HAL. The phase -1 of the facility getting ready on 35 acres of land will enable HAL to enhance its production capacity to 16 from the current eight aircraft every year.

Karnataka Minister Aravind Limbavali, Air Marshal Sandeep Singh, DCAS, Dr. Tessy Thomas, DG (Aero) and many other senior officials from defence fraternity were, among others, present on the occasion.

The State of the art machines such as CNC profilers, 5 axis machining centers etc., for producing technologically challenging, High pressure fluid cell press machine, Test rigs, specialized facilities for Heat Treatment, special processes and hangars for structural assembly of aircraft are being created in New LCA Complex. Production tooling and productivity improvement initiatives have also been undertaken by adopting latest simulation software packages under capacity augmentation.

Subsequently, in this facility, structural assemblies of LCA Mk1A will be produced to meet the desired delivery rate of as per the Contract.

The Union Cabinet on Jan 13 has cleared the proposal for procurement of 83 LCA Mk1A aircraft, which will be produced in two production lines at Bengaluru with over 500 plus production partners across India.

All the 83 aircraft would be delivered to Indian Air Force in the next decade commencing 36 months from contract signing. HAL would be delivering 16 aircraft in a year to the Air Force. The program will catalyze the aerospace ecosystem in India and would enable India to be an epitome in Prime Minister’s vision for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
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  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 15,2025

Udupi, Dec 15: What was meant to be a post-pilgrimage gathering turned tragic in Padukere village of Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, late Sunday night, when a clash among youths escalated into a fatal assault, leaving one man dead.

The victim has been identified as 30-year-old Santosh Mogaveera, a resident of Padukere.

According to preliminary information, the incident took place during a late-night drinking party involving a group of local youths who had recently returned after completing their pilgrimage to the Sabarimala shrine. An argument reportedly broke out among the group and soon escalated into a violent confrontation.

During the ensuing brawl, Santosh Mogaveera was allegedly assaulted and collapsed at the spot after sustaining serious injuries. He was rushed by local residents to a private hospital in Brahmavar, where doctors declared him dead.

On receiving information, senior police officials, including Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna, Kota Police Sub-Inspector Praveen Kumar T, Station ASI Manthesh Jabagoudar, and head constables Pradeep and Ashok, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.

Police have taken four youths into custody in connection with the incident. A case has been registered at the Kota police station, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the death.

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