As part of the ambitious and problematic program to renew its fighter fleet with domestically produced models, the Indian Air Force is preparing to incorporate the first of its 83 new LCA Tejas Mk1A aircraft. Specifically, the local company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has already managed to present four of these aircraft at the Aero India 2025 event, where they flew in formation before a group of spectators and the country’s current defense minister, Shri Raj Nath Singh.
The debut flight of these first four aircraft comes amid tensions between the Chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, and HAL’s leadership due to the evident delays the program has suffered. In the words of the Air Force chief: “I can only tell you what our needs and concerns are. You have to address these concerns and make us feel more confident. Right now, I simply do not trust HAL, which is a very bad thing.”
However, as later explained by HAL’s Director General, Dr. DK Sunil, the company faced significant challenges in meeting deadlines due to delays in the supply of aircraft engines from GE Aerospace. In 2021, both companies agreed on the acquisition of a total of 99 F404 engines for an investment of approximately $716 million, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2023 at a rate of 16 units per year. However, this plan was disrupted by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result, Indian media report that the flight of the first four Tejas Mk1A aircraft was carried out using Category B engines, leftover from a previous agreement with the American company. Looking ahead, HAL has announced that it expects to receive the first F404 engines by March. By the end of the year, the company hopes to have up to 12 units available to move forward with the program, which is already a year behind schedule.
It is also worth noting that India and HAL are in the final stages of negotiating an additional batch of 97 LCA Tejas Mk1A fighters to accelerate the replacement of their aging MiG-21 aircraft. To ensure timely deliveries, the Indian company has invested in three new production lines in Nashik and Bangalore, aiming to manufacture 24 aircraft per year.
Finally, reviewing the features of the LCA Tejas Mk1A, it is important to highlight that this new version of India’s indigenous fighter aims to improve performance and incorporate a greater number of locally manufactured components. Notable enhancements include the integration of a new AESA radar, specifically the domestically produced Uttam model. Additionally, the aircraft will feature new electronic warfare capabilities, structural modifications, and upgraded avionics.
Image credits: HAL
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