Even as the Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a major shortage of fighter squadrons, operating well below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, there appears to be further delay in the delivery of light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The IAF has placed two separate orders for LCA Tejas Mk1A, totalling 180 aircraft.
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Citing two officials, a Hindustan Times report stated that owing to multiple factors, including the pace of delivery of engines and the completion of a series of weapon trials, the delivery schedule of the LCA Tejas Mk1A and HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) basic trainers is being reworked.
The Union cabinet had, in March 2023, approved the procurement of 70 HTT-40 from HAL for ₹6,828.36 crore. The HTT-40 is a turboprop aircraft and is designed to have good low-speed handling qualities and provide better training effectiveness. The aircraft is expected to meet the shortage of basic trainer aircraft of the IAF for the training of newly inducted pilots.
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There was a delay in the delivery of engines for both aircraft— F404-IN20 engines from GE Aerospace for Tejas Mk1A and TPE331-12B turboprop engines from Honeywell for the trainer jets.
While HAL was expected to deliver 10 LCA Tejas Mk1As and 12 trainer jets, it has been reported that the PSU will now be making the delivery of only five fighters and three trainers by the end of the financial year 2025-26.
“We are getting closer to operational capability as LCA Mk1A weapon trials are progressing well, and another round is planned in December. And with engine supply picking momentum next year onwards, HAL will be able to make up for the current delay," HT quoted an official as saying.
The report stated that under the first order, the company is planning to deliver five fighter jets by March 31, 2026, and in the next four to five years, the first order will be completed.
According to sources, HAL hopes to meet the overall delivery targets despite the initial delays in delivering the fighter jets.