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.

 

[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.

 

[AK S]

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

Buy from France, No?

Sadly Mirage won’t support a decent BVR.

 

[AK S]

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.

July is not very far. And next March is also not very far. Let’s see.

French lobby can’t digest Indian success.

 

[Akshat]

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.

Poor HAL apologist.

Indeed, when will HAL deliver first one? They were supposed to deliver 3 by 2nd Feb.

It’s a shame that a plane with minor electronics and parts upgrade hasn’t been delivered even after 3 years. As for Dassault, they delivered in 3 years. As per the agreement. Unlike HAL which broke the agreement for a minor upgrade program.

 

[AK S]

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

So true, we are! Mod and IAF is running MRFA circus for two decades now.

 

[AK S]

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....

Share the funding dates also! You must have the order dates and quantities too.

Bureaucrats can sign the sanction letters with much cost to them.

 

[AK S]

Yup.

Fact is Tejas is flying and it will be the backbone of IAF. Whether French lobby likes it or not.

On the count of Mk1A, HAL has indeed done wonders. Dassault took five years to deliver first Rafale with all enhancements and they were mere enhancements.

 

[Sandeep]

The jets and equipment was all manufactured by HAL on march but they would obviously need to go through the tests and trials before the Air Force accept the jets into service. The important part is that HAL have to manufacture more jets and start making the trainers first so that they can start training pilots which takes time. To speed that up HAL should give a license to private companies to use their facilities and technology to manufacture the jet which should speed up the number of jets we need.

 

[Akshat]

Buy from France, No?

Sadly Mirage won’t support a decent BVR.

Will still be better than non existent Mk1a.

 

[Akshat]

Fact is Tejas is flying and it will be the backbone of IAF. Whether French lobby likes it or not.

On the count of Mk1A, HAL has indeed done wonders. Dassault took five years to deliver first Rafale with all enhancements and they were mere enhancements.

Mk1a is a mere enhancement. They didn’t even move to mk2. Just mk1a. And yet it is not delivered.

HAL has indeed done wonders by not delivering such a minor upgrade on time. Makes us hang our heads in shame.

 

[Cp Saraswat]

You guys have such a vast knowledge that I haven't everything which I read In comments remains new for me ....I only read every comments daily due to lack of info. Unable to be part of discussion 😅

 

[Pramkumar]

Tejas MK1 series should see the production of minimum 900-100 Aircraft before we go for the 5th gen LCA in Tejas Series and MK2 series must be around -400-500 nos before we go for the 5th gen MK2 series and ORCA should be around 300 nos before we took the 6th gen ORCA.

 

[Akshat]

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

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

Mod had approved the program, and hence the funds. IAF had approved the plane. It was HAL who was supposed to negotiate the manufacturing part, and they failed. So it was entirely HAL’s fault.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

This is really great considering the ever demanding specs changes from IAF.

 

[Pink Panther]

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

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

Because MOD doesn’t want the IAF guys to get foreign watch and retirement bonus from Dassault, this is the main reason the plan didn’t go through.

 

[Pink Panther]

Buy from France, No?

Sadly Mirage won’t support a decent BVR.

Dassault refused to integrate AESA radar during MIrage upgrade and yet charged $60Mln for each Mirage upgrade, MK1A with Astra MK1A can outclass Antique Mirage in this aspect.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

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

What missile did IAF ask for, and did not get?

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Poor HAL apologist.

Indeed, when will HAL deliver first one? They were supposed to deliver 3 by 2nd Feb.

It’s a shame that a plane with minor electronics and parts upgrade hasn’t been delivered even after 3 years. As for Dassault, they delivered in 3 years. As per the agreement. Unlike HAL which broke the agreement for a minor upgrade program.

And, Dassault delivered through the peak of the Covid pandemic.

Whereas HAL's pandemic isn't over yet. Their excuses still include delays due to pandemic.

 

[Akshat]

What missile did IAF ask for, and did not get?

Meteor? They were supposed to come with Rafale, no?

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Meteor? They were supposed to come with Rafale, no?

Meteor was asked for along with Rafale.

My questtion was regarding your previous comment. Which long range A2A missile did IAF ask for in 2010?

 

[Akshat]

Meteor was asked for along with Rafale.

My questtion was regarding your previous comment. Which long range A2A missile did IAF ask for in 2010?

Bhai…IAF asked for Rafale na? And asked for Meteor to be included in the package? So dowsnt that imply that IAF asked for Meteor? In fact they even explored the possibility of Meteor on Tejas but were refused. So they asked for Meteor. That’s the long range missile they wanted and tried to acquire but couldn’t due to HAL.