New Delhi – August 19, 2025
The Indian government has greenlit the purchase of 97 additional HAL Tejas Mk-1A multirole fighters, a deal reportedly worth around ₹67,000 crore ($8.1 billion). While this marks a major headline for India’s defense industry, critics point out that the program remains heavily reliant on foreign technology, particularly General Electric’s F404 engines.
Although the government claims progress, the Tejas program has faced repeated setbacks. Engine deliveries from the U.S. have experienced delays in recent years, exposing India’s continued dependence on foreign suppliers despite its “Make in India” rhetoric. Reports indicate that these delays have forced the Indian Air Force (IAF) to adjust its operational timelines and squadron formation plans.
Defense analysts argue that India’s insistence on pushing forward with the Tejas Mk-1A procurement, even amid such supply chain vulnerabilities, underscores the fragility of its indigenous aviation programs. The high costs, combined with the reliance on U.S.-supplied engines, raise questions about whether India’s military modernization ambitions are truly sustainable.
Read Top Stories
The first Tejas Mk-1A jets are expected to enter service by September 2025, but concerns remain over whether the IAF will be able to field the planned squadrons on schedule. Meanwhile, the broader strategic picture is also affected, as regional rivals continue to monitor the reliability and readiness of India’s domestic fighter programs.
This development highlights a recurring theme in India’s defense sector: ambitious procurement announcements often outpace actual operational readiness, leaving gaps in capability and exposing vulnerabilities in critical supply chains.