NEW DELHI - Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is in a race against time to deliver the last four LCA Mk-1 trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force by March 31, 2025. This comes as the more advanced LCA Mk-1A program faces delays, causing concern for the IAF's combat readiness.
The LCA Mk-1 program itself has been plagued by delays, with the initial operational clearance (IOC) contract signed in 2006 and final operational clearance (FOC) contract inked in 2010, both missing their original completion deadlines. Despite this, HAL has prioritized the delivery of the remaining trainers, having already handed over four out of the eight ordered.
While HAL strives to meet the trainer delivery deadline, the LCA Mk-1A program continues to face setbacks, primarily due to delays in engine supply from GE Aerospace. These delays have cast a shadow over HAL's ability to meet the 2028-29 deadline for delivering 83 Mk-1A fighters under a ₹48,000-crore contract.
The situation is further complicated by the potential award of a new contract for 97 more LCA Mk-1As, worth ₹67,000 crore, which could be finalized by the year-end. Skepticism within the IAF about meeting the Mk-1A deadlines persists, given the ongoing engine supply issues.
However, there's a glimmer of hope as GE Aerospace has informed HAL that it will start delivering two engines per month from November 2024 onwards, potentially easing the bottleneck. The single-engine Mk-1A is slated to replace the IAF's aging MiG-21 fleet and is crucial for maintaining India's air combat capabilities.
HAL's ability to deliver the remaining trainers on time and navigate the challenges in the Mk-1A program will be crucial for both the company's reputation and the IAF's operational readiness. The coming months will be critical in determining whether HAL can overcome these hurdles and deliver on its commitments.
