HAL Confirms Massive Rs 1.3 Lakh Crore Order for 97 Tejas Mk1A Jets and 156 Prachand Helicopters in Coming Months, Production to Ramp Up

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to receive a significant boost to its indigenous aircraft programs with the announcement of impending orders for 97 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets and 156 Prachand helicopters.

This news, revealed by HAL Chief DK Sunil at Aero India 2025, represents a major step forward for India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which seeks to bolster self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The combined value of these orders is estimated to be a substantial Rs 1.3 lakh crore.

The Tejas Mk1A, a domestically designed and developed multi-role fighter aircraft, is a key component of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) modernization plans. This anticipated order for 97 additional jets follows an initial order for 40 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, which are already in production. With the IAF aiming to procure a total of 180 Tejas Mk1A, HAL is gearing up for a substantial increase in production capacity.

To meet this growing demand, HAL will need to significantly ramp up its production rate. Currently producing approximately 16 Tejas Mk1A jets per year, HAL plans to increase this to 24 jets annually within the next 2 to 3 years, and eventually to 32 jets per year. This ambitious target will necessitate significant investments in infrastructure, upgrades to manufacturing capabilities, and expansion of the workforce.

The Tejas Mk1A boasts significant improvements over its predecessors, including enhanced avionics, advanced radar systems, and expanded weapon integration capabilities. By increasing domestic production, HAL and the IAF aim to reduce reliance on foreign-made fighter jets, enhancing India's defence capabilities and strategic autonomy.

In addition to the Tejas Mk1A, HAL is also anticipating an order for 156 Prachand helicopters. This light combat helicopter (LCH) is specifically designed for operations in challenging high-altitude environments like the Siachen Glacier and the rugged terrains along India's borders.

The Prachand, currently undergoing operational trials, is a versatile asset capable of performing a variety of missions, including counter-insurgency operations, search and rescue, close air support, and anti-tank warfare. Its lightweight design, agility, and advanced weapon systems make it a valuable addition to the Indian armed forces.

These upcoming orders represent a significant investment in India's defence capabilities and underscore the country's commitment to self-reliance in defence production. By boosting domestic manufacturing of advanced aircraft like the Tejas Mk1A and Prachand helicopter, India is taking major strides towards strengthening its defence industrial base and securing its strategic autonomy.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

HAL is a black hole only gulping orders. Nothing coming out in terms of deliveries. All furthers should be put on hold till HAL actually delivers planes rather than promises and excuses for non-deliveries!

 

[sanket]

GE Aviation needs to match GE-404 engine production to over 24 to 30, that's why I have always said GE needs to ramp-up production from the current 16 to 30. By just assembling extra airframes doesn't going to help.

 

[swatkats_razor]

With 97 aircraft order - HAL can ensure steady employment for its good-for-nothing staff for the next 100 years.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

If HAL wants to meet the production target for 97 aircraft, it should immediately place the order for 97 engines now itself without waiting for the official order from IAF. This will give GE time to make arrangements for proper delivery.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Companies are happy if they receive additional orders. By now HAL should start work on increasing the production to 30 units per year.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

GE Aviation needs to match GE-404 engine production to over 24 to 30, that's why I have always said GE needs to ramp-up production from the current 16 to 30. By just assembling extra airframes doesn't going to help.

It would be good if GE supplies 30 engines per year. HAL can keep airframes ready without engines so that once engines arrive they can be integrated faster.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

If HAL wants to meet the production target for 97 aircraft, it should immediately place the order for 97 engines now itself without waiting for the official order from IAF. This will give GE time to make arrangements for proper delivery.

Instead go for additional orders of engines. May be 30 engines per year for next 10+ years. We need them for mid life upgrades and NLCA as well.

 

[PrasannaBJN]

Why are Private sectors not involved in Fighter programs?. Givt agencies like HAL take their own time and they get salaries whether they work or not work. HAL should hold accountable by Govt for timely deliveries. If we would have involved Adani, Reliance or other good private sectors, we could have been in much better place and with advanced fighters like 5th Gen or even 5.5 gen flying already

 

[PrasannaBJN]

Look at Turkey and the way they are develpong UAV's and 5th Gen fghters and same way goes with South Korea and they both are involving Private sectors and single company develops eventhough components are manufatured seaparately, ownership lies with single company.

 

[Venugopal Kesavan]

What is the point in taking orders without delivering?

 

[kumar]

Without F404 engines, deliveries are not going anywhere.

 

[R. Singh]

97 Tejas-1A should be powered by GTRE+Rolls Royce developed 95 KN engine if GTRE can't develop Ge-404 type engine seeking 80% of GE tech for 98 kn engine ! Don't put all eggs in one basket it will spoil our fighter jet development program.

 

[vinod nair]

Instead of more orders for Tejas mk1a perpetually waiting for F404 delivery, divert the funds to more productive ones. If F414 is available, then fast track it.

 

[Dredd]

What is the point in taking orders without delivering?

If the IAF is smart, it would hold on to the order until they certify Mk1A and can deliver 24 airframes in 2025. As of now, much testing and certification of Mk1A is pending. Until the IAF says that Mk1A has delivered on all 43 agreed parameters, I won't take a word of HAL seriously.

 

[Sandeep]

The problem is that even when they ramp up the production lines HAL is still not manufacturing to its full capacity and capabilities.

It’s great that we are placing large orders for the jets and the helicopters but the problem is when will they manufacture it and how long will it take to manufacture it all. There is an urgency for us as we need to increase the very low number of air power with jets and helicopters.

 

[AJS]

LCH order would be good news. But not more Tejas Mk 1A… not until HAL can demonstrate reliable delivery at the rate of 24 aircraft / year on the current order, and depending on progress with Tejas Mk 2. The latter would be the real single engine solution for the IAF, whereas 1A is a much less capable aircraft. Just focusing on making up for decline of squadron numbers is short sighted.

 

[Dhimant Dungar]

prachand is okay but mk1a is not HAL's cup of tea.

 

[Suresh Kamath]

The Air Force Chief hit the nail on the head at the recently concluded Aero India exhibition, when he said that he has lost confidence in HAL (and so has most of the nation). The first lot of 40 Tejas aircraft are yet to be supplied even after more than 2 decades ! So much for HAL's capability. Ridiculous state of affairs.

The only way out is to allow the private sector to start manufacturing aircraft. HAL presently has no competitor and hence it gets away with all kinds of excuses for not delivering. If this continues, Atmanirbhar Bharat will remain a distant dream for the Indian Air Force.

 

[tlsmani]

Orders will come thru.What about deliveries? IAF have put all eggs in one basket that has a big hole that's HAL.

 

[tlsmani]

With 97 aircraft order - HAL can ensure steady employment for its good-for-nothing staff for the next 100 years.

U hv not mentioned the Staggering Pension for no work present & future personnel.

 

[Senapati]

With relation between US and India becoming normal hope getting GE F404 engine for Tejas Mk1A will be smooth affair and HAL will put its best to meet Airforce orders.Trust HAL it will deliver.

 

[nivas9531]

HAL is a black hole only gulping orders. Nothing coming out in terms of deliveries. All furthers should be put on hold till HAL actually delivers planes rather than promises and excuses for non-deliveries!

Where is the order and where are the funds
HAL is not a magical yogi like ramdev baba and asaram
Once it get funds it will be start works
MOD and IAF do only approval advertisements but not release a single pi to the Poor HAL

 

[Gajanan Hirde]

Does CAS have faith in HAL? We have ponys in HAL

 

[2025]

"No work, only pay commission, DA, and pension. The government needs to privatize all non-performing, lethargic organizations on an urgent basis.