HAL Adjusts LCA Mk-2 Rollout Target to March 2026, Pushing Back Maiden Flight

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the powerhouse behind India's aerospace advancements, has revised its target for the rollout of the first LCA Mk-2 fighter jet prototype. During their recent Q4 FY2023-24 earnings conference call, HAL confirmed aiming for a March 2026 debut, slightly later than earlier projections of a 2025 maiden flight.

Previously, Prabhulla Chandran VK, director of avionics and weapon systems at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) – the agency responsible for designing the LCA Mk-2 – had hinted at a possible 2025 maiden flight if the jet was equipped with an American engine. However, HAL's updated timeline suggests a minor postponement.

While the exact reasons behind the adjusted timeline remain unclear, several factors could contribute to such changes. Developing a new aircraft prototype is a complex process, often involving unforeseen technical challenges, integration of advanced technologies, and intricate testing phases. Any of these factors could necessitate schedule adjustments.

Despite the slight delay, the March 2026 target reaffirms HAL's commitment to delivering this advanced fighter jet, which is expected to significantly bolster the Indian Air Force's capabilities. The LCA Mk-2 promises a host of upgrades over its predecessor, including a more powerful engine, enhanced avionics, and increased payload capacity.

While we await further updates on the LCA Mk-2's development, this news highlights the intricacies and challenges inherent in aerospace engineering. The project's progress will undoubtedly be closely followed by defense enthusiasts and industry experts alike, as the LCA Mk-2 represents a crucial step in India's journey towards self-reliance in defense technology.

 

[Anant]

$335Mln is not cheapest, $85Mln is cheapest.

And who exactly is selling a fighter for 85 million USD unless you already have the operational ecosystem in place? Oh, and before you say the Tejas Mk 1A, there is a fairly sizeable difference between the Tejas Mk 1A and something like the Rafale.

 

[Anant]

What are you talking lie about production capacity of HAL. HAL has opened third unit in nasik and total capacity of
HAL is 24 jets annually.

HAL can have the capacity to produce 100 jets annually, and nothing would matter if they only deliver 5 jets a year. Look at deliveries, not capacity.

 

[Anant]

It will be in production in another 5 years before we get our first Rafale in 10 years even if they are ordered tomorrow.

Not happening. A roll-out in early 2026 (implausible as that is) translates to a first flight in early 2027 at the earliest. That translates to LSP starting around 2033-34, with production starting in 2036-37. Not happening before then.

 

[Anant]

There are 382 order Backlog. You can calculate 6/Year = 63 years

And I suppose all the work Dassault is already doing to increase production capacity is just to be ignored?

 

[Akshat]

IAF want Rafale watch and retirement bonus, we can’t get everything IAF wants.

IAF is begging for desi maal. But where are the planes? They have no choice but to ask for foreign planes as HAL can’t deliver anything. And they are not doing it for themselves but to protect us. So we should get them whatever they want without even asking twice.

 

[Akshat]

$335Mln is not cheapest, $85Mln is cheapest.

As I said, whatever the price, Rafale is the L1 always.

 

[Akshat]

Man we require MRFA. HAL only wags its tongue but does not force its hands to give a timely delivery. Mk2 will not be inducted before 2030. They will come up with innovative excuses (area in which they excel) for the delays.

Mk2 ain’t coming even till 2040. Even then the speed will be 4-5 jets annually

 

[Akshat]

I am going to conduct a quiz here, Could some one come up with a Total Count of Rafale Dallah’s based on their posting in this article, in some cases one Dallah is under multiple names, there are sone secret Rafale Dallah’s, there are some open Dallah’s, there are well known Dallah’s., all kind of Dallah’s.

And while at it, let’s also count the number of HAL apologists? Their number will surpass anyone else.

 

[Akshat]

No. Astra integration is not a problem. Out of 8 trainers only 5 delivered from earlier 40 order. IAF insists to complete trainers at the earliest from the second order of 10. As per HAL plan 10 trainers from second order are scheduled for 2025-26 only. Since 1A is delayed they are planning to start manufacturing of trainers 1st.

Read HAL and IAF commentary. HAL management had said last year only that they will deliver all 18 jets. 8 by March 2024 and 18 by March 2025. This shows that they had already planned to delay mk1a.

I don’t know how IAF and MoD even believes the lies of these fools. IAF was saying till September that they expect mk1a deliveries on time. Don’t know if any one of them even does simple math.

 

[Akshat]

HAL should learn to say no to last minute changes by IAF, those can go in the next version.

There are no such changes. HAL simply had decided not to deliver on time. Read their management commentary from 2023.

 

[Akshat]

MArk my words...IAF will have first 16 MK2 inducted not a day before Dec 31 2032

Make it 2042 (assuming HAL still has the project and is still a DPSU).

 

[J S Roy Choudhury]

without MRFA tender, even PAF can defeat IAF very easily in just 1 week. DO NOT forget that HAL maximum production rate of capacity is ONLY 4 Tejas jets per year! In my opinion 400 nos. of imported minus 5th gen. and 5th gen. jets would be needed very soon!

HAL has added another production line at Bangalore besides the existing one, each of which can produce eight LCA Mk-1As every year. From these two lines it plans to deliver 16 fighters to IAF in the financial year 2024-25.

It has also set up a new production line in Nashik last year for LCA Mk-1A which will help them to ramp up the production to 24 jets per year from next year onwards.

The delay in delivery of the GE F-414 engines is another matter, which may have adverse impact on the delivery schedule.