HAL Expects to Complete 16 Tejas Mk1A Jets by March 2026 Amid Software Refinements and Engine Constraints

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is anticipating the completion of 16 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A fighter jets by the close of the current financial year in March 2026.

However, the final delivery rhythm to the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently being dictated more by the integration of sophisticated software than by the physical construction of the airframes.

This development comes at a critical time for the Ministry of Defence, which is urgently looking to bolster the IAF's depleted fighter squadrons.

To this end, the government recently finalised a massive ₹62,370 crore contract in September 2025 for an additional 97 Mk1A jets, supplementing the initial order of 83 aircraft placed in 2021.

Providing an update on the production line, HAL revealed in early February that five Mk1A aircraft have been fully assembled and equipped with the primary combat capabilities specified by the IAF. These structurally complete and airworthy jets are now primed for induction testing.

Furthermore, another nine jets are prepared for flight, with two more currently undergoing final assembly.

This indicates that HAL's manufacturing facilities—which recently expanded to include a third production line in Nashik to increase output to 24 jets annually—are operating actively.

However, the handover process is currently paused pending the integration of specific software modifications requested by the Air Force.

Industry insiders clarify that these software adjustments do not point to any structural flaws or major operational defects.

Rather, they are necessary tweaks to harmonise the aircraft's cockpit interfaces, mission control logic, and weapons integration—such as recent complex trials involving the Astra beyond-visual-range missile and Israeli radar systems—with the specific operational requirements of the IAF.

HAL has proposed that these ongoing software enhancements could be installed incrementally while the jets undergo their trial phases, allowing for the physical transfer of the aircraft without further postponement.

The aerospace manufacturer has also highlighted the financial and practical burdens of keeping finished, combat-ready jets stored in hangars awaiting final sign-off.

While the IAF has yet to announce a strict timeline for officially accepting the new fighters, HAL maintains that both parties are working closely together to speed up the handover process.

Such continuous software development is a standard feature of modern military aviation programmes.

Unlike older generations of fighter jets, cutting-edge platforms like the Tejas Mk1A rely heavily on complex software architectures to manage everything from flight controls to advanced sensor fusion.

Therefore, iterative software updates are a routine and expected aspect of preparing a modern jet for frontline service.

Alongside the software discussions, the ongoing shortage of aircraft engines remains a significant overarching hurdle for the programme.

The Tejas Mk1A relies on the F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine produced by the American aerospace firm General Electric (GE). Global supply chain disruptions have severely restricted the availability of these critical powerplants, directly impacting the final delivery schedules.

While HAL projected a need for 12 engines for the current financial year, only a handful have arrived in India so far, though recent reports suggest GE has committed to supplying up to 20 engines in the upcoming 2026-27 financial year to help HAL scale up.

Despite these broader hardware constraints, the immediate focus regarding the current batch of completed airframes remains securely on finalising the software integration.

 

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[Ammoman]

"However, the handover process is currently paused pending the integration of specific software modifications requested by the Air Force."

These were the original requirements. It's not software but weapon integration, The original Tejas has no weapons other than a cannon. Useless.

Cut out the propaganda about engines.

 

[bikash]

Using the old GE engine which GE themselves have shut down from production makes no sense. GE is making these engines only on specific india requests but in future their availability is a question mark. If these engine production is not transferred to india then the Tejas mk1 fleet will not help indian airforce. Also, when a far better mk2 is in pipeline, why mk1 in such huge number is ordered by airforce?

 

[Ammoman]

Using the old GE engine which GE themselves have shut down from production makes no sense. GE is making these engines only on specific india requests but in future their availability is a question mark. If these engine production is not transferred to india then the Tejas mk1 fleet will not help indian airforce. Also, when a far better mk2 is in pipeline, why mk1 in such huge number is ordered by airforce?

GE is a multi billion dollar company. They can make as many engines India wants. HAL knew they weren't ready for engines because weapons integration is the key before the Indian Airforce would not accept a Tejas until everything was integrated. GE was the escape goat for HAL and the MOD.

Keep the engine away from HAL. GE can deliver any amount of Engines HAL wants.

 

[Madan]

GE is a multi billion dollar company. They can make as many engines India wants. HAL knew they weren't ready for engines because weapons integration is the key before the Indian Airforce would not accept a Tejas until everything was integrated. GE was the escape goat for HAL and the MOD.

Keep the engine away from HAL. GE can deliver any amount of Engines HAL wants.

Not true. GE and HAL are fooling Indians. GE is bound by the contract it signed with HAL and it failed to supply anything in 2024.

 

[bks78]

HAL is doing wrong thing. Whenever first jet was assembled mid 2025 then it should have been tried to equip with missile at that time so that by end of 2025 missiles readiness could have achieved. This is called parallel processing. It proved that HAL is not doing the correct job.

 

[netram]

"Rather, they are necessary tweaks to harmonise the aircraft's cockpit interfaces, mission control logic, and weapons integration—such as recent complex trials involving the Astra beyond-visual-range missile and Israeli radar systems—with the specific operational requirements of the IAF.
"
Better to do it now than scramble to make changes when the Pakis are shooting at you

 

[Ammoman]

Not true. GE and HAL are fooling Indians. GE is bound by the contract it signed with HAL and it failed to supply anything in 2024.

Have you read the contract and delivery schedule?

Why isn't it public? Use AI and look at GE's SEC filings. You will get your answer.

 

[rcbharatmahan]

This is nothing but reflects an incompetent HAL's under rated performance - Seriously all the contract for LCA needs to be revoked and HAL needs to be restructured into small units and sent to produce agri products. The capable engineers from HAL need to be absorbed with Tata's to produce new fighter aircraft's.

 

[Ashok Kandimalla]

Using the old GE engine which GE themselves have shut down from production makes no sense. GE is making these engines only on specific india requests but in future their availability is a question mark. If these engine production is not transferred to india then the Tejas mk1 fleet will not help indian airforce. Also, when a far better mk2 is in pipeline, why mk1 in such huge number is ordered by airforce?

GE 404 is in production currently for other air forces , viz Korean air force and USAF. They are not making then specifically for India.

 

[Ashok Kandimalla]

Not true. GE and HAL are fooling Indians. GE is bound by the contract it signed with HAL and it failed to supply anything in 2024.

Refer to some recent reports on the status Mk1A. Please read this <https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/markets/tejas-mk1a-boost-hal-gets-exemptions-as-iaf-eyes-early-fighter-jet-induction/ar-AA1WNGvn?>
Quote "
Under the revised understanding, the IAF is prepared to accept the aircraft once three critical requirements are fully met: completion of missile firing tests, integration of the radar with the Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, and finalisation of the weapons package. Sources described these elements as “completely essential” and not open to relaxation. Firing trials have already been conducted, and the certification process for these systems is currently underway.

HAL has maintained that much of the pending work is not linked to manufacturing delays but is instead tied to activities overseen by ADA, including system integrations and certifications. According to officials, several major capabilities are now in the advanced stages of certification and are expected to be completed by April. Following certification, the IAF will conduct acceptance trials, likely to last a few weeks. "

If engines were the only delay, why is integration of radar and EW pending? Why is certification pending? Everyone knows that HAL had 8 spare engines and plus two Mk1 trainers that IAF did not accept - so two more engines and a/c for testing if needed.