HAL Partners with Private Firms Like L&T and Tata to Accelerate 97 Tejas Mk1A Deliveries for IAF, Targeting 24 Jets Annually by 2026

State-owned aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is increasing collaboration with private Indian companies to expedite the production of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A fighters for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

This strategy supports a major order for 97 additional Tejas jets, valued at approximately ₹650 billion ($7.8 billion), which received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council in November 2023.

This new order follows an earlier contract from January 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, bringing the total commitment to 180 of these advanced fighters.

To meet the demanding delivery schedules required by the IAF, HAL is significantly boosting its manufacturing capabilities. The company aims to produce 24 Tejas aircraft annually by the 2025-2026 timeframe.

This increased output will be achieved through its existing production lines in Bangalore, supplemented by a new facility in Nashik, Maharashtra, which was scheduled to become operational in late 2024.

This expansion is crucial for the IAF's plans to replace its ageing fleets of MiG-21, MiG-27, and Jaguar aircraft and to restore its combat squadron strength, which currently stands below the officially sanctioned level.

A key element of HAL's production plan involves greater outsourcing to established private defence and aerospace firms. Companies such as Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Tata Aerospace, already suppliers of major aircraft sections (aerostructures), are expected to undertake more comprehensive roles. This approach aims to streamline the final assembly process at HAL facilities.

A significant step in this collaboration was marked in March 2025 when private firm Alpha Tocol delivered the first outsourced rear fuselage section for the Mk1A. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted this achievement as a moment of "great joy and pride," underscoring the success of the public-private partnership model within the "Make in India" defence initiative. The strategy allows private partners to deliver larger, pre-assembled modules, reducing the final integration time at HAL.

Despite these strategic advancements, HAL faces challenges in meeting its production targets. Delays in receiving F404 engines from GE Aerospace in the United States have impacted the assembly line. While GE Aerospace committed to delivering 12 engines starting in March 2025, supply chain issues persist.

Consequently, HAL has reportedly completed only a small number of Mk1A jets from the initial order, with production falling short of earlier projections. These delays have drawn comments from the IAF leadership, including remarks made during the Aero India 2025 airshow, expressing concerns over HAL's ability to meet the promised delivery timelines.

Overcoming these supply chain hurdles is critical for HAL to fulfil its commitments and support the IAF's ongoing modernization efforts and enhance India's indigenous defence capabilities.

 

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[sanket]

GE needs to ramp up the production rate to beyond 30; otherwise, a 24 airframe production rate has no value. Twelve engines per year doesn't sound good; at least in the first year after a long delay, they would have supplied 16 GE-404 engines to start.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Finish and test Kaveri on Tejas. If it gives 80-81 kN in Indian conditions, it will be ok for LCA for the time being. It's very urgent.

 

[Foxbat]

Possibility of war is looming and now HAL is talking about partnership with private sectors to accelerate delivery of 97 Tejas Mk1A to the IAF. I just cannot fathom HAL has been complacent all this while in it's responsibilities to fulfil IAF's urgent requirements of Tejas to compliment the depleting fighter squadrons. If India decides to strike pakistan IAF cannot afford to utilise all the fighter aircrafts to face off with the paki fighter. India needs to put some of the fighters on alert along the borders with china. The GoI has failed to realise that with the reduced numbers of fighter squadrons and HAL's snail pace progress in delivery Tejas Mk1A should have prioritised in acquiring 114 MRFA for the IAF with utmost urgency. Indian bureaucrats never seems to have learned their lessons from the 1962 war with china where India paid a heavy price for underestimating the chinese military strength and India's laid back attitude. Simply pathetic.

 

[Enforcer]

No need for Boost

Just hand over the whole job.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

I congratulate GoI for this visionary step. PMO should order HAL to use Kaveri engine in LCA Mk1A order.

 

[SURESH RAO]

12 Su-30MKI contract already signed in December 2024. These 12 jets will be delivered by 2027. Next year, sign another new contract for 36 Su-30MKI. These 36 can be easily delivered before 2030. This will cost around $4 billion only. This will relieve IAF burden to some extent.

HAL produced 222 Su-30MKI between 2005 and 2017. HAL has very good experience in producing and upgrading these jets.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

No need for Boost

Just hand over the whole job.

Private companies are not mature enough to handle the whole job. Maybe in future with some experience.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

There is no use for any private sector unless the supply of engines is stabilised.

 

[Swetank Bharti]

GE needs to ramp up the production rate to beyond 30; otherwise, a 24 airframe production rate has no value. Twelve engines per year doesn't sound good; at least in the first year after a long delay, they would have supplied 16 GE-404 engines to start.

For financial year 2025-26, they will be able to provide 12 engines, and starting next year, the rate of production will be 20. If GE ramps up production to at least 25, it will be okay for the current per-production rate of Tejas.

 

[Swetank Bharti]

There is no use for any private sector unless the supply of engines is stabilised.

1 delivered 11 more will be for this year and 20 staring next year.

 

[Swetank Bharti]

Finish and test Kaveri on Tejas. If it gives 80-81 kN in Indian conditions, it will be ok for LCA for the time being. It's very urgent.

For some years we are going to be dependent on GE engines its clear now, Kaveri is ready but have not gotten slot for flying testbed in Russia till now.

 

[swatkats_razor]

For financial year 2025-26, they will be able to provide 12 engines, and starting next year, the rate of production will be 20. If GE ramps up production to at least 25, it will be okay for the current per-production rate of Tejas.

HAL has yet to deliver the first Tejas Mk-1A to IAF for which the engine was already integrated and tested with. What excuse do HAL apologists have to justify the delay in delivery of the first Tejas even?

 

[Predator]

Finish and test Kaveri on Tejas. If it gives 80-81 kN in Indian conditions, it will be ok for LCA for the time being. It's very urgent.

Thrust is important but can't ignore the weight! Kaveri is too heavy for fighter jet platform.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

Finish and test Kaveri on Tejas. If it gives 80-81 kN in Indian conditions, it will be ok for LCA for the time being. It's very urgent.

They will take 2 decades to do that. But yeah, should happen somehow.

 

[SURESH RAO]

I request IAF to place order for another 36 Su 30 MKI by next year. It will cost around $4 billion. These 36 can be delivered before 2030. Order for 12 Su 30 MKI has already been placed in December 2024.

Recently, HAL's Nashik Plant has been fully modernized with ultra-modern facilities. HAL is gearing up for producing 12 Su 30s and also Tejas MK1A in the Nashik plant.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Thrust is important but can't ignore the weight! Kaveri is too heavy for fighter jet platform.

With out AF Kaveri weight around 900 kg. With AF if it is stand around 1100 kg with 80 Kn thrust ... It's not bad..

 

[Akshat]

For financial year 2025-26, they will be able to provide 12 engines, and starting next year, the rate of production will be 20. If GE ramps up production to at least 25, it will be okay for the current per-production rate of Tejas.

The current delivery rate of Tejas is not even 5 jets annually, and that is with the engines available years in advance. So don't worry about 12 or 20 engines.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

GE engines could be a bottle neck. If they supply 12-20 engines a year how will HAL reach 24 engines target a year?. Any real planning or just hawabaazi?. Give GE orders for F404 early on. In your count include the engines which you will need for next 10-12 years. Once their production line shuts down it will again take 5-6 years and larger orders to reopen. Place a larger order with GE and ask them to provide @30-36 engines per year. It will be cost effective for them as well.

 

[Sandeep]

The problem and issues is not down to numbers at all. The main issue is the long delays, inefficiency, slow delivery and a workforce with issues ranging from poorly skilled, incompetent, lazy and has poor work ethics and indifference. Despite receiving a major order they still couldn’t deliver on what they promised.

The best and easiest solution is to give a license to several private companies to manufacture the entire jet and not just parts and components. This protects the IPR and allows the jet to be manufactured at a faster speed and avoids our reliance on just one company that doesn’t produce enough.

Recently the CAG report found major issues, mistakes, incompetence and they wasted a huge amount of money which could have been avoided. In short HAL is just shooting itself in the foot.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

Do not sign that deal until the 83 jets are received, the private sector is involved, at least 24 jets are delivered starting in 2026, and there is a sovereign commitment on the 97 engines from the USA for GE F404!