New Delhi: The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) confirmed that 10 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets will be delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by March 2027. The update comes after the arrival of new GE F404-IN20 engines from the United States, helping HAL restart production momentum.
According to statements made by HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. D.K. Sunil and official company updates, the aircraft are in advanced stages of assembly and testing.
Why HAL Tejas Mk1A Delivery Was Delayed
The Tejas Mk1A program faced major delays because of disruptions in engine supplies from US-based GE Aerospace. Although HAL continued manufacturing aircraft structures, the lack of engines prevented final assembly and flight testing.
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The first deliveries were originally expected much earlier. However, delays in receiving F404-IN20 engines pushed the schedule back by several years.
HAL continued building airframes during this period to ensure production lines remained active and ready once engines became available.
Fresh F404 Engines Arrive For Tejas Production
A major breakthrough came with the delivery of fresh GE F404-IN20 engines. These engines are the powerplant used by the Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft.
The newly received engines will be installed in aircraft that are already assembled and waiting on the production line. HAL officials have indicated that additional engine deliveries are expected over the coming months, which should further accelerate production activities.
HAL Has 27 Tejas Mk1A Airframes Ready
One of the most significant developments is that HAL has already manufactured 27 Tejas Mk1A airframes. These aircraft structures are largely complete and are awaiting engines and final integration.
This strategy allowed HAL to avoid a complete production halt despite engine shortages. Once engines are installed, the aircraft must undergo software integration, system checks, ground trials, and flight testing before delivery.
Final Testing Remains Before HAL Tejas Mk1A Delivery
HAL has completed most of the integration work on the Tejas Mk1A. Reports indicate that around 90–95% of the required integration work has already been completed.
The remaining work includes testing and certification of key systems such as the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and weapon systems.
Flight Validation Trials
Before entering service, each aircraft must complete rigorous flight testing. The fighter jets are flown with external stores and missiles to verify aerodynamic stability and operational performance. These tests ensure the aircraft meets all Indian Air Force requirements before acceptance.
HAL Plans To Deliver 10 Aircraft By March 2027
According to HAL’s latest production plan, 10 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets are expected to be handed over by March 2027. The recently received engines will be used to complete the first batch of aircraft.
While HAL expects to receive more engines by the end of 2026, the company has adopted a cautious delivery schedule to ensure quality and certification standards are fully met.
FAQs
The primary reason for the delay was the late delivery of GE F404-IN20 engines required for final aircraft assembly and testing.
HAL has stated that it plans to deliver 10 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force by March 2027.
HAL has confirmed that 27 Tejas Mk1A airframes have already been manufactured and are awaiting engine installation and final integration.
