HAL aims to deliver first two Tejas Mark-1A fighters next month, pending weapon trials

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to hand over the first two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) as early as next month, provided the indigenous aircraft clears its upcoming weapon firing trials, reported TOI.

The trials, set for later this month, will involve testing Astra beyond-visual-range missiles, advanced short-range missiles, and laser-guided bombs. These tests are critical to confirm seamless integration with the Israeli Elta ELM-2052 radar and fire-control system fitted on the upgraded single-engine fighter.

According to a defence PSU official cited by TOI, “software tweaks were made after a previous firing test encountered problems.”

Engine delays

HAL’s production timeline has been hampered primarily by a two-year delay in the supply of 99 GE-404 engines from US manufacturer General Electric.

The contract, worth Rs 5,375 crore, was signed in August 2021. So far, only two engines have been delivered, with GE assuring 10 more by March 2026 and annual deliveries of 20 engines thereafter.

“GE has delivered two engines so far. It has promised to deliver 10 more engines by March next year, and then 20 every year thereafter,” said a TOI source.

Alongside engine shortfalls, issues with weapon and radar integration have contributed to the slow pace of production.

The IAF, which has already received 38 of the 40 Mark-1 jets ordered in earlier contracts worth Rs 8,802 crore, is yet to receive even a single aircraft from the 83-jet order for the improved Mark-1A variant placed in February 2021 under a Rs 46,898 crore deal. Delivery of these fighters was originally scheduled between February 2024 and February 2028.

Adding urgency, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the acquisition of another 97 Tejas Mark-1A jets for Rs 66,500 crore last month.

IAF faces shrinking squadron

The delays come at a time when the IAF is facing a critical shortage of combat aircraft.

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has openly criticised HAL’s lagging schedule, warning that the force requires at least 40 new fighters every year to maintain operational readiness.

The situation will worsen later this month when the IAF retires the last 36 MiG-21s still in service, cutting its strength to 29 squadrons — the lowest in its history, noted the TOI report.

This is far short of the 42.5 squadrons authorised to handle simultaneous threats from China and Pakistan.