ISLAMABAD: The Indian Air Force continues to grapple with significantdelays in the induction of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1A,with credible defence sources indicating that no deliveries are expectedeven by March 2026, extending a pattern of postponements that hasfrustrated military planners for years.
The Tejas Mk1A programme, an upgraded variant of India’s homegrown fighterjet developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, was originally contractedin 2021 for 83 aircraft with initial deliveries slated to commence inFebruary 2024 and conclude by 2028-2029. However, repeated hurdlesprimarily linked to the supply of GE F404-IN20 engines have pushedtimelines repeatedly, resulting in a near-total absence of operationalinductions despite substantial progress in airframe production and testing.
Defence analysts, including Snehesh Alex Philip from ThePrint, haverecently underscored that expectations for deliveries resuming in March2026 appear increasingly unrealistic, citing unresolved integrationchallenges and lingering supply chain constraints. This assessment alignswith broader concerns raised by the Indian Air Force leadership over theprogramme’s pace, as the force faces a critical squadron shortfall amid thephasing out of ageing MiG-21 aircraft.
The core bottleneck remains the delayed supply of engines from GeneralElectric, with only a limited number delivered so far despite contractualobligations starting years earlier. Reports from mid-2025 indicated that GEcommitted to ramping up supplies, including additional engines by March2026, yet production stabilisation at HAL has not translated into timelyhandovers. HAL has built multiple airframes, surpassing 16 per year in somephases, and conducted maiden flights, including from its Nashik facility inOctober 2025, but final integration of systems like upgraded avionics,Uttam AESA radar, and weapons remains pending certification.
These delays compound the Indian Air Force’s operational challenges, as theTejas Mk1A is envisioned to bolster frontline squadrons with enhancedcapabilities such as mid-air refuelling, advanced electronic warfaresuites, and beyond-visual-range missiles. The absence of these jets hasforced greater reliance on legacy platforms and imported fighters like theRafale, while squadron strength has dipped to historic lows followingrecent retirements.
Industry observers note that HAL’s production lines in Bengaluru and Nashikhave advanced significantly, with inventory buildup allowing for potentialrapid deliveries once engines and certifications align. However, sourcesclose to the programme highlight that software iterations, radarintegration, and final testing phases could extend timelines further into2026 or beyond, echoing earlier slippages attributed to both domestic andinternational factors.
The programme’s setbacks have also impacted India’s defence exportambitions for the Tejas Mk1A, as potential buyers seek assurances onreliable delivery schedules. With engine supplies projected to stabilise at20 units annually from fiscal 2026-27, HAL aims to scale output, but theinitial phase remains constrained, limiting bulk inductions.
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Critics argue that the persistent delays reflect systemic issues in India’sdefence procurement and production ecosystem, including dependency onforeign components and coordination challenges between HAL, DRDO, andinternational suppliers. Proponents counter that the Mk1A represents amajor leap in indigenous technology, with higher indigenous content andsuperior performance over earlier variants.
As the Indian Air Force awaits these critical assets to address itsmodernisation needs, the extended wait underscores the complexities ofdeveloping advanced fighter jets in a constrained geopolitical and supplyenvironment. Future milestones, including potential initial handovers laterin 2026, will be closely watched for signs of recovery in the programme’smomentum.
Source:https://theprint.in/defence/
GE F404
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