First Tejas Mk-1A Expected to Join Air Force Ranks This July

New Delhi: In a major boost for India's military might, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is expecting to receive its first Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet as early as July this year. This "Made in India" aircraft, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was initially slated for a February-March delivery but experienced minor technical delays.

A recent review by the IAF and HAL confirmed the new timeline, with additional integration trials set to be completed in the coming weeks. These trials are crucial to ensure the aircraft meets all operational standards before joining the IAF fleet.

This induction of the Tejas Mark 1A is a significant step towards India's goal of self-reliance in defense production, a vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister is even expected to attend the delivery ceremony, highlighting the importance of this milestone.

The Tejas Mark 1A project has already seen an order worth ₹48,000 crores for 83 aircraft, with another order for 97 planes potentially on the horizon. These fighter jets will replace the IAF's aging fleet of MiG aircraft, boosting the force's capabilities and ensuring air superiority.

Beyond military applications, the Tejas project is a major boon for India's economy. It's generating jobs and fostering business opportunities for small and medium enterprises across the country, showcasing the potential of the domestic defense sector.

Stay tuned for July, when the Tejas Mark 1A is expected to officially join the IAF, marking a proud moment for India's defense capabilities.

 

[sanket]

Even though IAF getting delivery of First Tejas MK1A in July , the production is on .delay is for Testing & certification of New features.

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

There is no sense of urgency in HAL and MoD…. Even IAF looks relaxed…. God knows what would happen if any short span battle erupts !!!!

 

[Sudha]

No worries it will again get postponed to somewhere in 2025. HAL never disappoints the nation & puts her security in danger. GOI should make a security check of the personnel to guarantee there are no pakistani & chinese nationals in HAL.

 

[Sudha]

Even though IAF getting delivery of First Tejas MK1A in July , the production is on .delay is for Testing & certification of New features.

One has never seen you criticising for the delay by HAL but always have something positive to say about it even when HAL is putting the nation's security in danger.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

A delay of 3-4 months is still acceptable but every time if significant delays are happening then some penalty on promotions and hikes for officials responsible must be there.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

There is no sense of urgency in HAL and MoD…. Even IAF looks relaxed…. God knows what would happen if any short span battle erupts !!!!

Probably, they have discounted HAL Tejas Mk1A already.

 

[Anant]

A delay of 3-4 months is still acceptable but every time if significant delays are happening then some penalty on promotions and hikes for officials responsible must be there.

They are not behind by 3-4 months. In many ways, they are behind by 20 years.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

There is no sense of urgency in HAL and MoD…. Even IAF looks relaxed…. God knows what would happen if any short span battle erupts !!!!

It took balakot air strike to remind IAF that they need long range Air to air missile which outguns pakistan. During wartime, they will start emergency procurement and nobody will question that. Applies to all govts.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

test flying a new aircraft is not a some thing that can b e done in a hurry as one would wish, Many test points have to be realized from radar to ew to the multitude of design changes. The cemilac will never certify the LCA unless all the test points are proven. for all purposes its a new aircraft and many unknowns will crop up. Even if the the individual enhancements have been proven in other LCA test plat forms it does not mean they will work together . There is always this problem of mutual interference with EW systems and radar and radar warning systems , jammers etc. All these have to be blanked when the jammers are active. This just one problem. As we test fly more integrated systems we will become more experienced and help enormously in LCA mk2 and others.

 

[Akshat]

Even though IAF getting delivery of First Tejas MK1A in July , the production is on .delay is for Testing & certification of New features.

There were no new features. Only things agreed upon when the contract was signed.

 

[Akshat]

There is no sense of urgency in HAL and MoD…. Even IAF looks relaxed…. God knows what would happen if any short span battle erupts !!!!

And what can IAF do in this case buddy? What options do they even have?

 

[Akshat]

It took balakot air strike to remind IAF that they need long range Air to air missile which outguns pakistan. During wartime, they will start emergency procurement and nobody will question that. Applies to all govts.

IAF had already asked for such missiles back in 2010. They even selected Rafale. HAL just couldn’t even finish negotiations.

 

[SURESH RAO]

We should send some experts for testing. There are some experts in this group who can speed up the testing.

 

[Akshat]

test flying a new aircraft is not a some thing that can b e done in a hurry as one would wish, Many test points have to be realized from radar to ew to the multitude of design changes. The cemilac will never certify the LCA unless all the test points are proven. for all purposes its a new aircraft and many unknowns will crop up. Even if the the individual enhancements have been proven in other LCA test plat forms it does not mean they will work together . There is always this problem of mutual interference with EW systems and radar and radar warning systems , jammers etc. All these have to be blanked when the jammers are active. This just one problem. As we test fly more integrated systems we will become more experienced and help enormously in LCA mk2 and others.

Was all this not known to HAL when they signed the contract promising the delivery dates?

As for experience, HAL never ever learns anything at all. Tejas took 19 years for first flight. Tejas mk2, supposed to be an upgrade of Tejas, is going to take at least 21 years, if not more. So this concept of ‘improving by doing’ is alien to HAL. They have gone rogue at this point.

 

[Akshat]

We should send some experts for testing. There are some experts in this group who can speed up the testing.

Would it be acceptable if the experts find out that the plane is not up to the mark and must be scrapped?

 

[Boomeranger]

Was all this not known to HAL when they signed the contract promising the delivery dates?

As for experience, HAL never ever learns anything at all. Tejas took 19 years for first flight. Tejas mk2, supposed to be an upgrade of Tejas, is going to take at least 21 years, if not more. So this concept of ‘improving by doing’ is alien to HAL. They have gone rogue at this point.

yehhhnn.. Tejas 1st flight was in 4th Jan 2001 and, LCA program idea was floated in 1983 with the creation of ADA in late 1984. FOC granted to Tejas on 20th Feb 2019....

 

[SURESH RAO]

Would it be acceptable if the experts find out that the plane is not up to the mark and must be scrapped?

These pseudo experts will be kicked out of HAL

 

[Boomeranger]

Tejas MK1A 1st flight actually proposed for 2021 year. So, TOTALLY 3.5 years delayed now!

 

[SURESH RAO]

The jokers in this group cannot even design and test a toy

 

[Baba Baati Baachur]

The jokers in this group cannot even design and test a toy

That is why the nation appointed HAL to do the same. Its a different thing if HAL employees spend their work time eating samossas and drinking chai and indulging in gossip.

 

[Akshat]

yehhhnn.. Tejas 1st flight was in 4th Jan 2001 and, LCA program idea was floated in 1983 with the creation of ADA in late 1984. FOC granted to Tejas on 20th Feb 2019....

Yup.

 

[Akshat]

These pseudo experts will be kicked out of HAL

So that their lies are not exposed.

 

[SURESH RAO]

test flying a new aircraft is not a some thing that can b e done in a hurry as one would wish, Many test points have to be realized from radar to ew to the multitude of design changes. The cemilac will never certify the LCA unless all the test points are proven. for all purposes its a new aircraft and many unknowns will crop up. Even if the the individual enhancements have been proven in other LCA test plat forms it does not mean they will work together . There is always this problem of mutual interference with EW systems and radar and radar warning systems , jammers etc. All these have to be blanked when the jammers are active. This just one problem. As we test fly more integrated systems we will become more experienced and help enormously in LCA mk2 and others.

MK1a has 42 new features compared to MK1. So there are 1000's more testing scenarios than MK1. The testing is not done by HAL alone. Both IAF and HAL are doing the testing on the Tejas MK1a. IAF also examined and gave suggestions for the Tapporees for many many months before they were released to India

 

[SURESH RAO]

So that their lies are not exposed.

So that only genuine experts are allowed and jokers are not allowed. HAL has hired expert private consultants from outside. They dont need suggestions from jokers

 

[Akshat]

So that only genuine experts are allowed and jokers are not allowed. HAL has hired expert private consultants from outside. They dont need suggestions from jokers

And yet the planes are not delivered on time. Seems they hired jokers and forgot the experts.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

Wonderful, Feb 24 deadline has now become July 24, with no surety that anything will actually be delivered in July 24!! Step 2 is convincing teh GOvt that it is not worth waiting for Tejas 1A. It is much better to go in for the "improved, ground breaking, best in class, with great export potential" Tejas Mk2 which will be delivered in 2029!

 

[Deepak Hegde]

A delay of 3-4 months is still acceptable but every time if significant delays are happening then some penalty on promotions and hikes for officials responsible must be there.

Looks like you are a PSU employee, to say 3-4 months delay is acceptable, that too for such a critical project! Only PSU employee can have such an attitude to timelines!!

 

[AK S]

There were no new features. Only things agreed upon when the contract was signed.

Jealous French lobby.

Let HAL deliver first one. It’s still a DPSU.

It’s an stupendous effort to deliver a plane with such a massive upgrade in 3 years! More so that it’s a DPSU.

For the French lobby, Dassault took nearly five years to deliver the first Rafale with all of India Specific Enhancements, mere enhancements.

Fun fact, IAF and MoD took three years from RFP to negotiate the price and place orders. BTW, HAL reports into Secy, Defence Procurement.

 

[AK S]

IAF had already asked for such missiles back in 2010. They even selected Rafale. HAL just couldn’t even finish negotiations.

If they didn’t get that who is responsible. Certainly not HAL.

One can ask for moon. Landing there is the herder part.