Tejas Mk-1A Delay: A Wake-Up Call for IAF to Induce Accountability on HAL

The much-anticipated delivery of the first Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet to the Indian Air Force (IAF) has hit a snag, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) appearing to miss its March 31st deadline. While the Mk-1A's maiden flight was a significant achievement, the delay in its handover raises concerns about HAL's ability to consistently deliver on its promises.

The Mk-1A is a substantial upgrade over its predecessor, featuring advanced systems, software, and weaponry. Its complexity necessitates a rigorous certification process, but this does not excuse the missed deadline. This setback not only carries potential financial penalties for HAL but also disrupts the IAF's modernization plans.

Unfortunately, this isn't a new phenomenon for HAL. The company has a track record of delayed deliveries across various jet projects. This chronic underperformance has far-reaching consequences, hindering the IAF's ability to maintain operational readiness and modernize its fleet.

The IAF's inclusion of a penalty clause in the Mk-1A deal was a prudent move. Enforcing this clause is crucial, as it sends a clear message that delays have consequences. Financial penalties can incentivize HAL to streamline its production processes and prioritize meeting future deadlines.

HAL's ambitions extend beyond the Mk-1A. The company is seeking a second tranche order for 97 more Mk-1As and is set to be a production partner for the Tejas Mk-II program, which envisions the manufacture of at least 200 units. Given these plans, it's imperative for HAL to address its persistent delays and establish a reputation for reliability.

The IAF needs a dependable supplier to ensure its combat readiness. By enforcing penalties and holding HAL accountable for its delays, the IAF can foster a culture of accountability within the defense industry. This will ultimately benefit India's national security by ensuring timely delivery of critical defense assets.

While open-source information does not provide specific details on the financial penalties HAL may face, it underscores the significance of this issue for India's defense capabilities. The delay in the Tejas Mk-1A delivery serves as a wake-up call for HAL and the entire defense industry, highlighting the need for improved efficiency and adherence to deadlines.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Punitive damages must be extracted from the people responsible in a top to down fashion. Unions atleast in govt sectors must be bcoz unless there are repercussions we won't change .

 

[AK S]

IAF never asked for any changes. IAF was expecting planes this year while HAL had decided not to deliver the jets a year back.

And forget Mk1A. Where are the trainers? Tell me they changed specs of those as well? HAL management promised to deliver them last financial year, didn't they?

IAF did ask for changes, that too in the last half. It’s in public domain.

 

[AK S]

The delay will be much bigger. First 18 trainers have to be delivered, as confirmed by HAL last year. 13 are still pending. Then 3 mk1a till Feb 2024. And then 4 more should have been delivered by now. So at this point they have 20 planes pending. They can only make 16 at max. So delay is even more than 1 year.

Trainers are delayed. But not what you are saying. 10 trainers as part of 83 MK1A orders was scheduled after 3 years of the order

 

[AK S]

If that’s what it takes to make sure that our patriotic pilots are able to dominate the skies, I won’t hesitate to do even that. Anything for our soldiers. Much better than making them wait for jets just to matter far paycheck for HAL idiots.

What HAL has to do with MRFA. IAF is running this circus for two decades and keep making noise for buying foreign maal. They are very expensive and won’t happen so easily. We might see this circus for another decade.

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

This delay is not due to HAL solely… IAF asked them to integrate latest software/electronics at the last moment, which was meant to be added after delivery of some odd mk1a (just like the Uttam radar will come from 41th mk1a)…. This led to delay of 4 months as fine tuning and then flight trails are required to validate all these updates….
So IAF is not going to HAL this time..🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Akshat]

What HAL has to do with MRFA. IAF is running this circus for two decades and keep making noise for buying foreign maal. They are very expensive and won’t happen so easily. We might see this circus for another decade.

It was HAL which failed to seal the deal in MMRCA. IAF gave the results in about 2 years. Since then it has not received AoN.

 

[Akshat]

Trainers are delayed. But not what you are saying. 10 trainers as part of 83 MK1A orders was scheduled after 3 years of the order

Read HAL managements commentary after last years annual results. They specifically said that 8 trainers will be delivered by March 2024 and 18 by March 2025. They have a capacity of 16 jets annually. This means that all trainers would have been made in one go. This also means that at max only 6 mk1a could have been produced, against the 16 which were contractually obligated to.

 

[Akshat]

So, what's your solution? Consult Dassault to help the situation at HAL?

No one can help HAL. Sell it off or dismantle it. Anyone starting from scratch has a better chance of making jets in time than HAL does. Dassault is not the answer for everything.

 

[Akshat]

IAF did ask for changes, that too in the last half. It’s in public domain.

Nope they never did. There is no such official news. Only unnamed sources. Official statements reflect that HAL had already decided that Mk1a will be delayed. This was decided at least since May 2023 and IAF was expecting jets on time till at least August 2023. So the delay has nothing to do with any changes.

 

[Akhil]

Maybe ask IAF to not ask for constant never ending changes.
It's easy goal to delay Tejas to make a perception in favour of foreign imports by asking for niggling changes.

Anyways, everyone knows production lines will stabilize as indigenous content increases and order size increases.

I have doubt about GE engines though. US already delayed them once.

 

[BCharlie]

GOI should rather crack the whip on IAF for keep on changing the specs and asking for more changes and in particular IAF Cheif for using all kind of delaying tactics to delay all the local products in order to benefit from MRFA.

All in the boat are to be blamed.. its not this guy's fault or that guy.. Lethargy & Relaxed working with NO Accountability towards delays, costs, quality, tech changes due to delays etc; Good jobs to get retirements, pensions, free medical.. etc;

 

[BCharlie]

What penalties exactly as both entities in the contract are government bodies?

Extra high Bonuses to team if delivery of all items is in time.. also, promotions... Otherwise those with sab chalta hei BS & are in relaxed mode, to have their promotions, benefits, increments, postings withheld till performance improves. This includes bosses.

 

[BCharlie]

IAF never asked for any changes. IAF was expecting planes this year while HAL had decided not to deliver the jets a year back.

And forget Mk1A. Where are the trainers? Tell me they changed specs of those as well? HAL management promised to deliver them last financial year, didn't they?

Sirji, it looks like by the time we get the fully capable effective & working fighters ready for combat, Pakistan will be having at least 50 out of the 100 of them 5th Gen FC-31 fighters.. and yes at least 100 of the 4th Gen FC-10s... We would still be discussing when, what & how..;

 

[Mithu Roy]

Airforce should immerse itself during testing.doesnt matter if few deliveries are delayed initially.Once it is perfected,then go for higher production rate.
Also airforce had to take blame for HAL.look at Dhruv deliveries, they are ahead of schedule since every thing is streamlined but now orders are less and no orders for prachand and luh where spanking new assembly lines are lying idle.
Therefore iaf had to have a robust procurement plan for hal to streamline production.
HAL productions is not the issue,it's product development cycle, testing are the issues for missing deadlines

 

[Akshat]

Sirji, it looks like by the time we get the fully capable effective & working fighters ready for combat, Pakistan will be having at least 50 out of the 100 of them 5th Gen FC-31 fighters.. and yes at least 100 of the 4th Gen FC-10s... We would still be discussing when, what & how..;

Highly unlikely. People keep praising Pak but even they are staring at a crisis with Mirages and J7s set to retire this decade and their only acquisition over the last decade being the J17s and a handful of J10s. J17 won't be as capable as our fighters and J10s won't be as numerous. But yes, we need to ditch HAL finally.