HAL Set to Deliver First Tejas MK1A Fighter Jets to Indian Air Force: A New Era Begins
- India International Affairs North America South Asia
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 5 minutes read
In a significant development for India’s defence sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to deliver the first batch of Tejas MK1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) within the next month. This milestone comes amid concerns raised by the Air Chief regarding HAL’s efficiency, as the development and delivery of Tejas aircraft have faced prolonged delays since the program’s inception in 1984. With an updated timeline, HAL now plans to deliver 20 Tejas MK1A aircraft by 2025-26, increasing production to 25 per year in 2026-27, and eventually reaching 30 per year thereafter. However, scepticism remains regarding HAL’s ability to meet these targets, given the history of delays in the Tejas program. The Tejas fighter jet program was conceptualized in 1984 as part of India’s efforts to develop indigenous aircraft and reduce reliance on foreign technology. However, the journey from blueprint to reality has been slow:
- 2001: Tejas took its first flight after 17 years of development.
- 2009: The Indian Air Force placed its first official order for Tejas fighter jets.
- 2016: The aircraft was finally inducted into the IAF—16 years after its maiden flight.
- 2024: HAL has yet to fulfil its original order of 40 Tejas MK1 jets.
One of the primary reasons for the delay in deliveries has been the slow supply of engines from General Electric (GE) in the USA. The current deal with GE includes the supply of 99 F404 engines at a total cost of $716 million, with 12 engines expected to be delivered in 2025 and 20 per year thereafter.
The biggest concern remains: Will HAL be able to deliver 20 Tejas MK1A jets next year? This question stems from past delays in both engine supplies from GE and manufacturing constraints at HAL. If HAL meets its deadline, the addition of Tejas MK1A to the IAF will significantly strengthen India’s air defense, especially as several older aircraft are set to retire in the coming years.
While Tejas MK1A is a significant advancement, it lacks stealth capabilities, making it less effective against modern adversaries. Many nations, including China and the USA, are moving towards 5th and even 6th-generation stealth fighters. China has already started deploying J-20 stealth fighters, and reports suggest that Pakistan will receive J-35 stealth jets from China in the near future. Given this development, India cannot afford to lag behind in stealth technology. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed that work is underway on developing 5th and 6th-generation stealth fighter jets under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This project aims to introduce an indigenous stealth fighter that can match global standards and maintain India’s edge in aerial warfare. The upcoming delivery of Tejas MK1A fighter jets is a crucial step for India’s self-reliance in defense technology. However, questions remain over HAL’s ability to meet its production targets and whether India will shift focus toward stealth fighter development to counter evolving threats.
While the Tejas MK1A will bolster the IAF, the real test will be India’s ability to transition towards next-generation stealth fighters in the coming years. Will India succeed in developing a cutting-edge stealth aircraft, or will external dependencies continue to slow progress? The answer will define India’s air power in the future.
