Bangalore, India – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced plans to ramp up deliveries of the Tejas Mk 1A light combat aircraft (LCA) to the Indian Air Force (IAF) from 2025, following the resolution of supply chain disruptions that had delayed the program.
Initially scheduled for delivery in 2024, the Tejas Mk 1A faced setbacks due to issues in sourcing key components, particularly its engines. However, HAL Chairperson and Managing Director D K Sunil confirmed during a press conference at Aero India 2025 that production is now back on track.
Current Production Status
HAL has already produced three Tejas Mk 1A aircraft, equipping them with Category B (Cat B) engines to facilitate initial flights. These engines, sourced from other IAF programs, are General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engines—the most powerful in the F404 family, offering 85.08 kN (19,250 lb st) of thrust.
On 10 February 2025, all three aircraft performed a series of maneuvers at Aero India, showcasing their capabilities. Additionally, two more Mk 1A aircraft are in final assembly stages, with HAL expecting to expedite deliveries once the engine supply stabilizes.
GE to Deliver First Batch of New Engines
According to Sunil, GE has assured HAL that the first batch of 12 F404-IN20 engines will be delivered soon, enabling faster production and induction into the IAF.
The Tejas Mk 1A is an upgraded version of the baseline Tejas Mk 1, featuring enhanced avionics, radar, and electronic warfare capabilities. It is a crucial component of India’s indigenous fighter jet program aimed at reducing dependence on foreign aircraft.
With the supply chain issues now being addressed, HAL expects to meet its commitment of delivering 83 Tejas Mk 1A jets to the IAF under an existing ₹48,000 crore ($5.8 billion) contract.
