Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to commence delivery of the Tejas Mk-1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) by the end of 2025, according to HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil. The first 11 aircraft are expected to be ready by then, marking significant progress despite earlier delays.
Speaking at Aero India in Bengaluru, Sunil announced that American aerospace giant GE will begin supplying F404 engines from March 2025, with 12 engines scheduled for delivery this year. “GE has stabilized its manufacturing process for the F404 engines. We have already built three aircraft using reserve engines from earlier deals, and by the end of this year, we aim to manufacture 11 Tejas Mk-1As,” he said.
The Tejas Mk-1A delivery, already delayed by a year, the HAL Chief emphasized that engine supply setbacks caused earlier delays, but GE assured us that the production schedule was back on track. “We’ve overcome initial challenges and are building at full pace. All 83 Tejas Mk-1As in the current order will be delivered by 2031-32,” Sunil added.
“We have started building these aircraft. We had a setback regarding engine supply, but now GE has assured us this will not happen. They will give us 12 engines this year, and all 83 Tejas Mk-1As in the current order will be delivered by 2031-3,” he said.
Tejas Mk-1A Progress Amid Setbacks
The first three Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, which flew during Aero India, were powered by reserve engines referred to as “Category B” engines. These were engines left unused from a prior GE deal. Sunil explained, “Now that GE has assured steady engine deliveries, our backlog will be cleared, and deliveries to the Indian Air Force (IAF) will begin soon.”
As part of the 2021 agreement between HAL and GE, the American firm was originally scheduled to deliver 99 engines starting March 2023, aligning with HAL’s production schedule of 16 aircraft per year. However, supply disruptions caused delays. GE has now committed to accelerating engine deliveries to meet HAL’s timeline.
F414 Engine Deal
Discussions are ongoing for the joint production of GE’s advanced F414 engines in India. These engines are critical for the upcoming Tejas Mk-2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Sunil confirmed that a delegation from the US will visit India later this month to finalize terms, including the transfer of technology (ToT).
“The deal involves 80% technology transfer, but HAL is pushing for full technical know-how rather than just receiving drawings. Cost negotiations will follow once the ToT framework is finalized,” he said.
The F414 engine, with its superior power and efficiency, is expected to play a pivotal role in India’s next-generation fighter platforms. This partnership would also significantly enhance India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
HAL’s Order Booked Till 2030
HAL’s current order book is valued at ₹1.2 lakh crore, and the company expects to add another ₹1 lakh crore in contracts within the next year. These new deals include orders for 97 more Tejas Mk-1A aircraft and 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand, which are expected to be signed within the next six months. The total value of these contacts will likely be ₹1.3 lakh crore.
“Our production capacity is currently at 24 aircraft per year, and we’re prepared to scale up to meet future demands,” Sunil stated. The new orders will take HAL’s commitments well into 2030, ensuring a packed production schedule for years to come.
The Tejas Mk-1A program, coupled with advancements in engine technology and expanded production capabilities, underscores India’s growing emphasis on indigenous defence manufacturing and its ambitions to become a global aerospace hub.
Ravi Shankar
