Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will deliver the first two LCA Tejas Mk-1A aircraft in October, despite delays in engine supplies from the US, sources confirmed.
“Ten aircraft are already built and tested. The first delivery will take place in October, with one jet from Nashik ready for handover,” a senior official said.
Engine Supply Bottleneck
HAL has faced delays in receiving GE F404 engines from the US, but two additional engines are expected this month to keep the production line running. So far, 10 F414 engines have already arrived, while a broader deal for 113 F404 engines—to power 97 more Mk-1As—has been finalised. “Only the signing of the contract remains, which is expected shortly. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has already cleared it,” sources added.
Weapons Integration Success
The Tejas Mk-1A has successfully completed weapons integration trials, including live firings of the Astra beyond-visual-range missile and the ASRAM short-range missile. This significantly enhances the combat capabilities of the aircraft, which is being inducted in batches to the Indian Air Force.
Future Roadmap
While 83 Mk-1As are now expected to be delivered by 2029—four quarters later than initially planned—the more advanced LCA Mk-2 is slated for rollout in 2027. HAL is also progressing on the upgrade of 15 Su-30MKI fighters for the IAF, further consolidating its role in India’s defence aerospace sector.
Officials maintained that production remains on “firm footing,” even as HAL investigates defects recently reported in the Coast Guard’s ALH Dhruv fleet. The inquiry is expected to close this month.
