HAL Advances Tejas Mk1A Jet's Final Firing and EW Trials as Arrival of New GE F-404 Engine Clears Path for IAF Delivery

India's domestically developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the Tejas Mk-1A, is approaching a significant phase as it undergoes final evaluations, including additional weapons firing and electronic warfare (EW) system trials. These tests are crucial to confirm the aircraft meets the stringent operational requirements set by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Sources familiar with the programme suggest the IAF is expected to induct the first fully compliant Tejas Mk-1A aircraft early in the 2025-26 financial year, possibly between late April and early May 2025.

This enhanced version promises significant upgrades over the initial Tejas Mk1, particularly in its avionics, radar, and electronic warfare capabilities, making it a more potent asset for national defence.

The ongoing trials commenced after the successful maiden flight of the first Tejas Mk-1A production aircraft, designated LA-5033. This inaugural flight occurred on March 28, 2024, from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru, lasting approximately 18 minutes.

It's important to note that this initial flight utilized older reserve engines (Category B F-404) from the earlier Tejas Mk-1 production line. This interim measure was adopted due to delays in receiving the specifically contracted new GE F-404-IN20 engines, allowing HAL to proceed with flight testing while awaiting the upgraded powerplants necessary for the Mk-1A to reach its full performance potential.

A major development occurred recently with the arrival of the new engines. On March 25, 2025, GE Aerospace dispatched the first F-404-IN20 engine under the contract, which is expected to arrive in India in early April. HAL is also reportedly anticipating the delivery of a second engine shortly.

Receiving these engines is a critical step, enabling HAL to prepare at least two Tejas Mk-1A aircraft equipped with the intended powerplants for formal handover to the IAF, aligning with the projected late April or early May 2025 timeline.

The delivery of these engines resolves previous uncertainties surrounding the programme's schedule. The engines are part of a larger contract signed in 2021, valued at $716 million, for HAL to produce 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF, comprising 73 fighter variants and 10 trainer aircraft.

GE Aerospace has outlined a delivery plan, committing to supply 12 engines by December 2025 and increasing production to 20 engines annually from 2026 onwards. This schedule supports HAL's production target of delivering between 16 and 24 Tejas Mk-1A jets per year.

The new F-404-IN20 engines incorporate advanced technologies, such as single-crystal turbine blades and a higher-flow fan, providing increased thrust (up to 85 kN) and enabling the enhanced performance and manoeuvrability expected from the Mk-1A variant.

 

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[R. Singh]

Power Tejas-1A with enhanced GE-404 ( 90+KN) made in India engine !

 

[Ronin]

Give it to them fast.

 

[Ronit@9977]

I came to hear that the 7th LCA is already constructed. It's March end, and this year, HAL will receive 12 engines, so we can expect the partial formation of a new Tejas Mk1A squadron by year end.

Now, IAF and CCS must need to take a decision fast and sign another deal for F404 engines with GE for 97 additional Tejas Mk1A, because of the additional order, we can make GE give 24 engines per year instead of only 20. This will enable HAL to use its full capacity by at least 2026 end. And each year, our Air Force will get one and a half squadrons operational on the front line.

 

[sanket]

First GE-404 engine is likely to arrive in April 2025 and second by May, so two LCA MK1A may be delivered in June 2025.

 

[Anant]

I came to hear that the 7th LCA is already constructed. It's March end, and this year, HAL will receive 12 engines, so we can expect the partial formation of a new Tejas Mk1A squadron by year end.

Now, IAF and CCS must need to take a decision fast and sign another deal for F404 engines with GE for 97 additional Tejas Mk1A, because of the additional order, we can make GE give 24 engines per year instead of only 20. This will enable HAL to use its full capacity by at least 2026 end. And each year, our Air Force will get one and a half squadrons operational on the front line.

Minor correction for those projections: Short of signing a fairly sizeable order with GE beyond these 99 F404s, GE is projecting 20 engines a year from 2026 onwards (besides the projected 12 in 2025). 20 engines a year means around 16-18 aircraft a year (the rest would quite possibly go into the spares pool), so that would be one new squadron a year.

 

[Harsh]

That means the aircraft is still in the testing stage and is not battle ready!
You do extra firings for a reason. Sad, disappointing, frightening!

 

[Ronit@9977]

People don't realize that growth happens exponentially, not linearly. It's the same HAL which started working on the CATS project from scratch since 2017 and after 7 years, the CATS Warrior prototype is in front of us.

 

[Ronit@9977]

Only a few nations have the ability to produce their own fighter jets. Even though HAL was inefficient in the past, which must be criticised, even after using category B engines, HAL has made 7 Tejas Mk1A, which is great. Finally, after decades of work, the IAF will get its own fighter in bulk.

 

[AK S]

Only a few nations have the ability to produce their own fighter jets. Even though HAL was inefficient in the past, which must be criticised, even after using category B engines, HAL has made 7 Tejas Mk1A, which is great. Finally, after decades of work, the IAF will get its own fighter in bulk.

For MK1A, HAL has indeed done a commendable job and more so given it's a DPSU. HAL took MK1A to sky in about 3 years from contract date. Dassault took five years for the first Rafale with all of India specific enhancements. And for these enhancements alone, we spent $1.5B (@ 2018 prices). We could buy over three squadrons of MK1A in that money.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

They should sign an order for engines for the next batch of 97 Tejas Mk1A's and spare engines required for the next 10-12 years. Signing a follow-on deal for 97 Tejas Mk1A's is taking time. As an exception, allow HAL to sign an engine deal with GE even before the IAF signs the deal with HAL. Ask GE to supply 30-36 engines per year, two years from signing the new deal.

 

[Satyen Mohanty]

Were they waiting for the engine to carry out these extra firing and EW testing?

 

[Sandeep]

Regardless of using the A or B category engine the more important task is that production of these jets should continue. At the same time they need to increase the amount of indigenous content using Indian raw materials.

To quickly increase the number of jets we can issue a license to private sector companies who are able to manufacture the parts, components and technology. This will also reduce our over reliance on just one company called HAL. So any issues with them then the whole production line and supply chain can get stuck and delayed by bureaucrats, secretaries, contracts and negotiations etc.

 

[Anant]

For MK1A, HAL has indeed done a commendable job and more so given it's a DPSU. HAL took MK1A to sky in about 3 years from contract date. Dassault took five years for the first Rafale with all of India specific enhancements. And for these enhancements alone, we spent $1.5B (@ 2018 prices). We could buy over three squadrons of MK1A in that money.

While HAL's work is to be appreciated, and while one hopes we'll get far more Tejas Mk 1As far sooner now, please do get your facts straight.

Dassault delivered the first Rafale to us about three years and one month after we ordered them (the order was placed in September 2016, and the first jet was handed over in October 2019). Now, they did that at a time when they had a fairly sizeable order book (24 jets from Egypt, 24 jets from Qatar, and around 60 or so from France).

HAL, on the other hand, is yet to deliver some of the Mk 1 trainers ordered back in 2010. That should be criticised heavily.

 

[vaibhav]

I came to hear that the 7th LCA is already constructed. It's March end, and this year, HAL will receive 12 engines, so we can expect the partial formation of a new Tejas Mk1A squadron by year end.

Now, IAF and CCS must need to take a decision fast and sign another deal for F404 engines with GE for 97 additional Tejas Mk1A, because of the additional order, we can make GE give 24 engines per year instead of only 20. This will enable HAL to use its full capacity by at least 2026 end. And each year, our Air Force will get one and a half squadrons operational on the front line.

अच्छा सुझाव

 

[Akshat]

People don't realize that growth happens exponentially, not linearly. It's the same HAL which started working on the CATS project from scratch since 2017 and after 7 years, the CATS Warrior prototype is in front of us.

CATS is not a HAL project alone. It's an NSRT project. In fact, most of the work from HAL will come in the form of modifications and integration with Tejas.

 

[Ronit@9977]

CATS is not a HAL project alone. It's an NSRT project. In fact, most of the work from HAL will come in the form of modifications and integration with Tejas.

The CATS (Combat Air Teaming System) program in India is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) – Lead organization, responsible for the overall development and integration of CATS.