First Flight of Tejas Mark 1A Aircraft Set to Fly on October 17

After a prolonged delay, primarily due to engine supply issues, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is finally set to reach a major milestone in its modernisation efforts. The first flight of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A has been scheduled for October 17 in Nashik, bringing a much-needed sense of progress to the IAF’s fighter jet fleet.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be present to mark this pivotal occasion, which not only signals the aircraft’s readiness for service trials but also reaffirms India’s commitment to indigenous defence manufacturing.

Delays Overcome: Engine Bottlenecks Begin to Clear

The LCA Mark 1A program has experienced significant delays, particularly due to late deliveries of the F404 engines from the American manufacturer General Electric (GE). Although the engine supply deal was signed in 2021, HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) only recently received four engines, effectively stalling production.

Now that GE has committed to deliver 12 engines by the end of this financial year and ramp up to 20 engines annually starting next year, the long-standing bottleneck is finally easing. HAL currently has around 10 aircraft structurally ready, awaiting flight testing and final certifications before induction.

First Flight: More Than Just a Test

While this upcoming flight is not the formal handover, it marks the first operational flight of the Tejas Mark 1A under the IAF’s acquisition plan. Prior to this, several test flights were conducted to validate its capabilities, including successful trials with indigenous Astra BVR missiles, ASRAAM, and laser-guided bombs.

Despite some earlier technical glitches during the second trial phase, software updates and system refinements have now paved the way for the final test. Once complete, the aircraft will be cleared for official delivery.

Tejas and IAF’s Shrinking Squadron Strength

The urgency around the Tejas program is underscored by the IAF’s depleting fighter strength, currently down to 29 squadrons, well below the sanctioned strength of 42. The recent retirement of two MiG-21 squadrons in September further intensified the need for rapid replenishment.

So far, the IAF has inducted two squadrons of the original Tejas variant. In 2021, a deal was signed for 83 Tejas Mark 1A aircraft (73 fighters and 10 trainers), intended to form four additional squadrons. These deliveries will now begin with the aircraft set to fly on October 17.

In parallel, another order for 97 more Tejas Mark 1A units (68 fighters and 29 trainers) was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council in 2023 and cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security this year. Valued at over Rs 62,370 crore, this will bring the total to 11 squadrons of Tejas aircraft in the coming years.

Expanding Infrastructure and Future Roadmap

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also inaugurate two new production lines in Nashik: one for the Tejas Mark 1A and another for the HTT-40 trainer aircraft. This infrastructure expansion is crucial to scaling up output and ensuring timely deliveries.

Beyond Mark 1A, HAL is already working on the Tejas Mark 2, a more advanced 4.5-generation fighter that will feature enhanced capabilities and improved avionics to meet future combat requirements.

A Milestone That Signals Momentum

The upcoming flight of the Tejas Mark 1A is more than just a technological milestone; it represents a turning point in India’s fighter aircraft program, which has long been hindered by delays and dependency on foreign suppliers. With the engine supply issues now being addressed and production ramping up, the IAF can finally look forward to filling its critical capability gap with a homegrown solution.

Huma Siddiqui