Indian Air Force to receive indigenous Tejas Mk1A jets amid delivery delays

HAL has completed missile and firing trials for the Tejas Mk1A aircraft and is ready to deliver five jets to the IAF this financial year. Delivery delays have slowed the fleet expansion, while Tejas Mk2 is expected in 2027.

Hyderabad: Having successfully completed missile trials and firing on the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A aircraft, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to shortly hand over the indigenous aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

According to HAL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Dr DK Sunil, the HAL already has five Tejas aircraft ready. “We have completed the firing trials. So I think we are on a good footing now and we will approach the Indian Air Force to take these five aircraft in this financial year,” Dr Sunil said.

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The IAF had placed two separate orders for a total of 180 Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft, meant to strengthen the IAF’s combat fleet, and has been waiting for over a year. One of the main reasons for the delay is attributed to the engine deliveries from GE, a US-based company.

With this delay, the IAF, as per reports, is expected to receive 83 contracted Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft by 2029. The deliveries of a separate order for 97 additional aircraft may commence in 2027-28 and end by 20233-24. Furthermore, the more advanced Tejas MK2 is expected to roll out in 2027.