HAL Eyes More Tejas Trainer Sales After Big Fighter Jet Deal

India's homegrown Tejas fighter jet program could be getting an extra lift. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is hoping the Indian Air Force (IAF) will snag more Tejas trainer aircraft after a recent deal to buy a whole bunch of those sleek single-seater Tejas Mk1A fighters.

The IAF already ordered 18 Tejas trainers. See, before pilots can jump into a fancy new Mk1A fighter, they've gotta train. HAL's delivered five of those trainers so far and plans to finish up the order by 2025. But here's the thing: India just ordered 97 more of those Mk1A fighter jets. That's a lot more pilots who'll need to get up to speed!

HAL figures the IAF will need more trainers to go along with those new fighters. "You can't just hand someone the keys to a top-of-the-line jet," an HAL spokesperson might say. "These trainers make sure our pilots are ready to handle the upgraded Mk1As, so we can get the most out of them."

This whole Tejas program is a big deal for India. These jets are made right at home, boosting the country's defense industry while giving the IAF a much-needed boost in firepower.

 

[Anant]

"On track to deliver the remaining 13 by 2025": When exactly in 2025? December 31? And how much slippage will be there?

Also, more Tejas trainers are definitely a possibility. However, HAL should first focus on the orders they have and what they are poised to get rather than try to fish the waters!

 

[sanket]

More Engine orders for GE.

 

[Pink Panther]

No intention of making MK2 by 2029 whatsoever.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

First deliver what was previously ordered on time, before trying to grab additional orders. They have already accepted that they are running late in producing the already ordered MK1A and now they want more so that they can collectively screw all the procurement up.

 

[AK S]

"On track to deliver the remaining 13 by 2025": When exactly in 2025? December 31? And how much slippage will be there?

Also, more Tejas trainers are definitely a possibility. However, HAL should first focus on the orders they have and what they are poised to get rather than try to fish the waters!

Generally should be 31 March 2025

 

[Ashutosh Shukla]

bus order lelo bus time se deliver nhi karna

 

[AK S]

First deliver what was previously ordered on time, before trying to grab additional orders. They have already accepted that they are running late in producing the already ordered MK1A and now they want more so that they can collectively screw all the procurement up.

They aren’t running late for Mk1A - mostly in-line. If order of 97 more is placed, then Nashik assembly line will kick in too and order of 73 Mk1A can be even delivered early.

Old trainer order is running late. Let’s see if they can deliver all the remaining trainers in this fiscal.

 

[Akshat]

They aren’t running late for Mk1A - mostly in-line. If order of 97 more is placed, then Nashik assembly line will kick in too and order of 73 Mk1A can be even delivered early.

Old trainer order is running late. Let’s see if they can deliver all the remaining trainers in this fiscal.

They are massively late with regards to mk1a. Till now, 18 trainers and 3+ mk1a should have been delivered. Only 5 trainers have been delivered. Given their current rate, they are late by well over a year at this point.

 

[kumar]

That is another 6 to 8 trainers they are looking at. Not a big deal.

 

[Anant]

Generally should be 31 March 2025

I felt so too, but they aren't going to be able to deliver 13 trainers plus Tejas Mk 1A jets this year. Not happening.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

They aren’t running late for Mk1A - mostly in-line. If order of 97 more is placed, then Nashik assembly line will kick in too and order of 73 Mk1A can be even delivered early.

Old trainer order is running late. Let’s see if they can deliver all the remaining trainers in this fiscal.

Are u kidding me? They were supposed to start delivering the first units of MKA by Feb 2024, as per contract stipulations. Where are the aircraft? We are already nearing the end of April 2024 did u see any MK1A that was delivered to IAF? Wake up smell the coffee, for the 73 MK1A are already late and as per recent news they are unlikely to be delivered anytime before mid 2025.

 

[sandy 007]

I have come to the conclusion that why people do not buy Tejas , Why because i think US plays a major role in it, I think US gives the assurance of their Military assistance like will give them US support during war time , like US GPS support this is one of the main reason why people buy US or US Military assisted hardware, Secondly US also give them assurance of AWACS and Drone and satellite assistance which means US is just indirectly playing major role in it and any war of its purchaser.

I think India also must give such kind of assurance that will automatically prompt many customer to buy India military hardware.

 

[Bhishma]

I have come to the conclusion that why people do not buy Tejas , Why because i think US plays a major role in it, I think US gives the assurance of their Military assistance like will give them US support during war time , like US GPS support this is one of the main reason why people buy US or US Military assisted hardware, Secondly US also give them assurance of AWACS and Drone and satellite assistance which means US is just indirectly playing major role in it and any war of its purchaser.

I think India also must give such kind of assurance that will automatically prompt many customer to buy India military hardware.

Attribute it largely to CIA. They have dirt on the people involved. Plus easy to convince them if the price is right. For sure they are a bigger player who have been in this domain for a lot longer. We did a stupid mistake going with GE. Now wherever we are pitching Tejas, Lockheed will also be there. They simply dont want any competition and easily undercut India using whatever means necessary. First thing we need to do is use Kaveri and get rid off GE. Use Safran, Rolls Royce, Russian anything but definitely not US. We need to have 100% indigenization to even dream about selling big ticket items

 

[Akshat]

Attribute it largely to CIA. They have dirt on the people involved. Plus easy to convince them if the price is right. For sure they are a bigger player who have been in this domain for a lot longer. We did a stupid mistake going with GE. Now wherever we are pitching Tejas, Lockheed will also be there. They simply dont want any competition and easily undercut India using whatever means necessary. First thing we need to do is use Kaveri and get rid off GE. Use Safran, Rolls Royce, Russian anything but definitely not US. We need to have 100% indigenization to even dream about selling big ticket items

So Sweden and South Korea can sell with GE engines. China can sell fighters with Russian engines. But only and only India has a problem selling with GE engines? Wonderful excuse.

 

[Bhishma]

So Sweden and South Korea can sell with GE engines. China can sell fighters with Russian engines. But only and only India has a problem selling with GE engines? Wonderful excuse.

Sweden and South Korea are NATO members and America's stooges. SoKo has a permanent mil base for the US and Sweden has given mil base access to US. We could have gone with Russian/France engines & we wouldnt have had this problem. Thing is India is not vassal state of US. Geopolitically we are not aligned on most issues. So US would screw us in this matter.

 

[Akshat]

Sweden and South Korea are NATO members and America's stooges. SoKo has a permanent mil base for the US and Sweden has given mil base access to US. We could have gone with Russian/France engines & we wouldnt have had this problem. Thing is India is not vassal state of US. Geopolitically we are not aligned on most issues. So US would screw us in this matter.

So you are saying being a vassal of US is the only way to grow?

 

[Dredd]

Generally should be 31 March 2025

It means in FY-25, ie by 31 March 2026.