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India’s ambitious Tejas Mark-1A fighter program has received a much-needed boost with the arrival of a third F404 engine from US aerospace giant General Electric (GE), marking the resumption of supplies after a halt in August amid uncertainty. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) confirmed that a fourth engine is also expected before the month’s end, raising hopes that long-delayed inductions into the Indian Air Force (IAF) may finally gain momentum.
Engines Unlock Stalled Airframes
The Tejas Mark-1A, India’s upgraded light combat aircraft, has been plagued by engine shortages. HAL has already completed 10 airframes, but without engines, they remain grounded. Under a 2021 deal, GE is to supply 99 engines, with 12 scheduled by 2025. Yet, deliveries have slipped badly – only three engines have arrived so far, nearly two years behind schedule.
The shortfall has drawn concern from Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who has cautioned that the delays are slowing the IAF’s modernization plans which could pose to its combat effectiveness. HAL officials say that if the supply chain stabilizes, the company could deliver up to 10 Tejas Mark-1A jets by March 2026.
“GE has promised to deliver 10 more engines by March next year, and then 20 every year thereafter,” HAL said.
The force has so far got only 38 of the first 40 Mark-1 fighters ordered under two contracts inked in 2006 and 2010. Air Chief Singh has publicly criticised HAL for the delays and stressed the needs to induct at least 40 fighters every year to stay combat ready.
It is yet to get the first Tejas Mark-1A jet of the 83 contracted in February 2021 from HAL. All the 83 jets were to be delivered during 2024-2029 timeframe. In the meantime, soon after the government cleared order on August 19 last month for 97 additional LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets, taking the total order to 180 aircraft, India is close to finalising a deal worth about $1 billion with for 113 GE-404 engines to power the indigenous aircraft.
Building Momentum for the IAF
Despite the delays, HAL is preparing to hand over the first two Tejas Mark-1A fighters to the IAF next month, nearly two years behind schedule. A critical firing trial with indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range and short-range missiles is scheduled this month, after which the jets will be formally inducted. HAL has confirmed that 10 jets have already been manufactured, including one from the Nashik production line ready for handover.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently facing challenges with only 31 active squadrons, while it has a sanctioned strength of 42.5 squadrons. At the end of this month, the IAF will retire its last two operational MiG-21 fighter squadrons based in Chandigarh. This retirement will end the aircraft’s 62-year service and will bring the IAF’s total squadron count down to an all-time low of 29.
The Tejas program serves as a litmus test for India’s defence industrial ecosystem, highlighting the country’s efforts to reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers.
Team BharatShakti
