30 Tejas Mk1A Already Manufactured, Flown, and Tested But Await GE F404 Engines for Formal Delivery to IAF, Says HAL

During its recent Q4 FY26 earnings conference call, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) shared a crucial update on India's flagship fighter jet project.

The state-run aerospace manufacturer announced that it has successfully built, flown, and evaluated approximately 30 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, including both fighter and trainer variants.

However, the formal handover of these jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently on hold because of a delay in the delivery of GE F404 engines from the United States.

To ensure the project did not stall, HAL engineers utilised Category-B (CAT B) GE F404 engines to carry out necessary flight trials and comprehensive testing on all 30 completed airframes.

Since CAT B engines are specifically designated for certification and developmental trials rather than active combat duty, this workaround permitted the company to successfully finish the integration and validation phases without waiting for the final production-grade powerplants from GE Aerospace.

With the preliminary testing complete, these jets are now parked and ready for the final step: the installation of combat-ready engines. Once this integration is finished, the aircraft will be officially transferred to the IAF.

HAL anticipates that the induction process will commence between August and September 2026, coinciding with the expected arrival of new GE F404-IN20 engine consignments from America.

Because the critical stages of structural assembly, systems integration, and aerial validation are already behind them, HAL is positioned to act swiftly as soon as the supply chain normalises.

The company's leadership confirmed that the fleet of fully constructed jets can be equipped with the new engines and prepared for deployment in a very short timeframe.

This approach demonstrates HAL's commitment to maintaining momentum on a vital national defence project despite facing severe logistical bottlenecks.

By refusing to halt the manufacturing line, the aerospace firm managed to sustain continuous progress in airframe construction, software integration, and structural proving, effectively minimising the overall impact of the international supply chain disruption.

Defence analysts point out that this proactive manufacturing strategy will enable a massive surge in deliveries once the supply of American engines becomes steady.

Recently, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi Kota verified that the company has already taken delivery of six GE F404 engines, which are currently undergoing airframe integration. Furthermore, HAL expects to receive an additional 15 to 20 engines by March 2027.

The Tejas Mk1A is a cornerstone of India's push for self-reliance in the defence sector and is slated to replace the IAF's ageing fleet of Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters.

The Ministry of Defence initially signed a ₹48,000 crore contract in 2021 for 83 of these jets, and recently cleared the acquisition of 97 additional units, bringing the total order book to 180 aircraft.

Compared to earlier versions, the Mk1A variant boasts significant technological leaps that make it a highly potent platform.

It comes equipped with an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, advanced electronic warfare (EW) suites, and the capability to deploy Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) missiles.

As the engine supply stabilises, the IAF stands ready to significantly bolster its operational combat squadrons with these modern, domestically produced fighters.

 

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[Spitfire9]

Good to hear that 30 aircraft have been built and flight tested.

Bad not to hear any reference to the failure to certificate the aircraft.

With the preliminary testing complete, these jets are now parked and ready for the final step: the installation of combat-ready engines. Once this integration is finished, the aircraft will be officially transferred to the IAF.

No they won't. The customer has made that crystal clear: give me what I ordered or give me nothing.

 

[mehdi123189]

When engine aren't delivered, how were they flown....🤔

 

[Ammoman]

The weapons package is far away. The engines have nothing to do with it.

Its HAL that puts out news sayin they have not recieved engines. Not GE.

The IAF has had it. They won't accept Jets that don't have key features that are not integrated and tested. HAl is the governments mouthpiece. Lying to protect the DOD.

The Tejas 1 don't have any weapons integrated. Its a joke.

HAL is 1 year away. Just say it.

Would the IAF accept the Rafale with key features not working? Yhen why should they accept the Tajas 1A.

 

[Andy13]

Yes certifications are lagging behind. But lets give credit where its due. Once software, weapons certification is sorted, and Ge pulls its act together, we can expect deliveries to be wrapped up by 2030, just in time for Mk2. However, there are lots of 'if's.

 

[Spitfire9]

Yes certifications are lagging behind. But lets give credit where its due. Once software, weapons certification is sorted, and Ge pulls its act together, we can expect deliveries to be wrapped up by 2030, just in time for Mk2. However, there are lots of 'if's.

No hurry on getting Mk1A production of 83 finished by 2030 in time for Mk2. Mk2 is delayed further again. To be realistic, it may not fly until 2028. It may not be certified before 2032.

But... what about production of the other batch of 97 Mk1A? No way will HAL have built 180 Mk1A by 2032.

 

[Ammoman]

Yes certifications are lagging behind. But lets give credit where its due. Once software, weapons certification is sorted, and Ge pulls its act together, we can expect deliveries to be wrapped up by 2030, just in time for Mk2. However, there are lots of 'if's.

I agree.

Unfortunately the ifs are very important.

HAL can't do it all. Spread out the work to private sector. HAL can be the integrator and the manufacturer. There is nothing wrong with this approach. Do you think Boeing does everything themselves. Boring is the integrator.

 

[FROST]

I am unable to understand. How 30 Tejas MK1A could have flown tested and ready for delivery, yet await GE F404 engines. They were tested with catapults?

 

[Foxbat]

When engine aren't delivered, how were they flown....🤔

This 30 aircrafts used CAT B engines for testing and certification.

 

[iafgeek7]

Yes certifications are lagging behind. But lets give credit where its due. Once software, weapons certification is sorted, and Ge pulls its act together, we can expect deliveries to be wrapped up by 2030, just in time for Mk2. However, there are lots of 'if's.

When engine aren't delivered, how were they flown....🤔

Apparently they have 6 (f404) engines but for some reasons they couldn't deliver 6 aircrafts. They are trying to blame the engine shortage which is somewhat true but with that, they're trying to hide the fact that what they've build is absolutely junk even after 2 years of delays. The first batch of these mk1A's would use the EL/M 2052 radars meaning the uttam radar won't get time and experience needed to further integrate it into the mk2 which would result in the mk2 also using the israeli radar. As of now, we might see amca before a meaningful squadron of tejas mk2.

 

[Ashok Kandimalla]

Apparently they have 6 (f404) engines but for some reasons they couldn't deliver 6 aircrafts. They are trying to blame the engine shortage which is somewhat true but with that, they're trying to hide the fact that what they've build is absolutely junk even after 2 years of delays. The first batch of these mk1A's would use the EL/M 2052 radars meaning the uttam radar won't get time and experience needed to further integrate it into the mk2 which would result in the mk2 also using the israeli radar. As of now, we might see amca before a meaningful squadron of tejas mk2.

Very well put ji. "Apparently they have 6 (f404) engines but for some reasons they couldn't deliver 6 aircrafts." The reason is that the certification is not over - simple as that. Not only that, only 38 of the Mk1 (not MK1A) of the 40 ordered have been delivered. So two more of those have to be delivered too.