HAL to deliver 8 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets by mid-2028
What's the story
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will begin delivering eight Tejas Mk1A fighters in the next 24-36 months. This follows an engine supply agreement with General Electric (GE). The deal includes a total of 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines for powering 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A fighters. The procurement is part of a ₹62,370 crore agreement approved earlier this year.
Production pace
Initial deliveries to be modest
A senior government official said that the initial delivery cycle will be modest as HAL stabilizes its production line. The slow start is due to cost negotiations which delayed the finalization of the engine contract. "HAL and GE had to align on escalating costs before locking the supply roadmap," the source told Moneycontrol.
Production schedule
Bulk production to begin after year 3
Bulk production of the Tejas Mk1A fighters is slated to start after year three. Internal delivery charts indicate three major tranches of 24 aircraft each will roll out sequentially after months 37, 49, and 61. A final batch of 12 jets is scheduled for months 73-84, which corresponds to late 2031 through late 2032.
Lifecycle planning
Engine quantities structured for lifecycle requirements
The government official also said that engine quantities have been structured with lifecycle requirements in mind. "The engines have a defined shelf life. After that they need replacement, which is why 113 engines have been contracted for now," he said. Further engine orders will be placed as the fleet expands.
Advanced features
Tejas Mk1A: An advanced indigenous fighter jet
The LCA Tejas Mk1A is an upgraded version of India's indigenous fighter jet, boasting a new avionics architecture, improved radar, mid-air refueling capability, and higher mission readiness. The F404-GE-IN20 engine is a proven afterburning turbofan that also powers the earlier Tejas Mk1 fleet.