HAL to deliver first two Tejas Mark-1A jets next month but contingent on weapon trials

NEW DELHI: Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) hopes to finally deliver the first two `improved’ Tejas Mark-1A fighters to the IAF next month after a long delay, but it will be contingent on the single-engine indigenous jet completing its weapon firing trials.

The firing trials of Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, the advanced short-range air-to-air missiles and laser-guided bombs, which will also demonstrate proper integration with the Israeli-origin Elta ELM-2052 radar and fire control system of the Tejas Mark-1A fighter, are scheduled later this month. “Software modifications have been made after a previous test failed,” a source at the defence PSU said.


The almost two-year delay in delivery of 99 GE-404 engines by US firm General Electric, which HAL contracted for Rs 5,375 crore in Aug 2021, as well as weapons and radar integration issues are the main reasons behind the excruciatingly slow pace of production of the Tejas Mark-1A jets.

“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,” the source said.

The IAF is keeping its fingers crossed. The force has so far got only 38 of the first 40 Mark-1 fighters ordered for Rs 8,802 crore under two contracts inked in 2006 and 2010.

It is yet to get the first Tejas Mark-1A jet of the 83 contracted from HAL under the Rs 46,898 crore deal in Feb 2021. All the 83 jets, incidentally, were to be delivered in the Feb 2024-Feb 2028 timeframe. The PM-led cabinet committee on security (CCS) approved the acquisition of another 97 of the jets for Rs 66,500 crore on Aug 19, as was then reported by TOI.

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh has publicly criticised HAL for the delays, noting that IAF was “very badly off in numbers” and needs to induct at least 40 fighters every year to stay combat ready.

The IAF will go down to its lowest-ever figure of 29 fighter squadrons after retirement of the 36 old MiG-21s still in service on Sept 26. This when the force is authorized 42.5 combat squadrons to tackle the twin challenge from China and Pakistan.

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