HAL Readies 3 Tejas Mk1A and 4 Trainer Mk1 Jets for IAF, Pending Arrival of GE F-404 Engines

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is on the verge of delivering three Tejas Mk1A fighter jets and four Tejas Mk1 Trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), with the delivery hinging on the arrival of GE F-404 engines. These crucial engines are expected to be delivered in the coming days, marking a significant step forward for the Tejas program after a period of delays.

HAL has confirmed that the aircraft are ready for delivery, having either completed initial flight trials using older engines or are currently undergoing further testing. Production continues to progress, with three more Tejas Mk1A and five additional Mk1 Trainer aircraft currently under construction.

The delay in engine deliveries, attributed to supply chain challenges with General Electric (GE), has been a hurdle for the Tejas program. An HAL official stated that the first two F-404 engines are scheduled to arrive in March. HAL plans to immediately install these engines on the first two Tejas Mk1A aircraft, with the goal of delivering them to the IAF by the end of April, assuming no further delays in engine supply.

The official emphasized that while the delay in engine deliveries has been a challenge, it has allowed HAL to refine its production processes and ensure quality. With the engines expected soon, the aircraft are just days away from joining the IAF's fleet.

The Tejas Mk1A boasts several advancements over the original Mk1, including upgraded avionics, enhanced radar systems, and increased weapon carrying capacity, making it a valuable addition to the IAF's modernization efforts. The Tejas Mk1 Trainers are equally important, playing a crucial role in pilot training for effective operation of the combat variants.

This development comes as the IAF seeks to bolster its squadron strength, with the Tejas program playing a key role in replacing aging aircraft. The anticipated delivery of these Tejas aircraft will not only enhance the IAF's operational readiness but also signifies progress in India's pursuit of defence self-reliance.

The Tejas program is a testament to India's growing aerospace capabilities, and the successful delivery of these aircraft will be a significant milestone for both HAL and the IAF. With its advanced features and homegrown origins, the Tejas is poised to become a cornerstone of India's air defence capabilities in the years to come.

 

[sanket]

Only if GE-404 Engines have arrived. In the first para, it is said engine delivery is in the next few days, while in the fourth para, the engine delivery schedule is March 2nd. Only two engines are expected to be delivered, and how will 7 jets (3 Tejas MK1A + 4 Trainer Tejas MK1) be delivered? Mark my word, GE will deliver 12 to 16 engines at best per year.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I think that delivery will start in June. Let's keep our optimism at the lowest point, since it is HAL making commitments.

 

[Puneet]

Even Apaches for the Indian Army are delayed. Poor HAL, past reputation is such that people blame them even if the fault lies elsewhere.

 

[Anant]

Well, more power to HAL if they do manage speedy deliveries.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

What will be HAL's production rate for Tejas MK1A's, if it gets 20 engines per year from this year?

 

[Ankit Singhal]

GE-404 engines will not come to India anytime soon. America will try to sell F21 to India. It was the biggest mistake of choosing GE engines for Tejas. The whole Tejas program will be hijacked by America. We should start thinking about buying SU-57 as INR is losing ground against all other currencies & now buying more Rafale will take an arm and a leg out of our government...

 

[Dragon]

GE-404 engines will not come to India anytime soon. America will try to sell F21 to India. It was the biggest mistake of choosing GE engines for Tejas. The whole Tejas program will be hijacked by America. We should start thinking about buying SU-57 as INR is losing ground against all other currencies & now buying more Rafale will take an arm and a leg out of our government...

INR is falling only against the dollar. It is gaining against Ruble and almost every other currencies.

 

[Sudha]

GE-404 engines will not come to India anytime soon. America will try to sell F21 to India. It was the biggest mistake of choosing GE engines for Tejas. The whole Tejas program will be hijacked by America. We should start thinking about buying SU-57 as INR is losing ground against all other currencies & now buying more Rafale will take an arm and a leg out of our government...

Completely agree that it was a huge mistake for going in for an engine the producrion of which had stopped. US got a ready excuse to armtwist Bharat.

 

[Sudha]

INR is falling only against the dollar. It is gaining against Ruble and almost every other currencies.

💯 But people only see that INR is falling against dollar, but INR is actually performing better than other currencies against the dollar.

 

[Sudha]

What will be HAL's production rate for Tejas MK1A's, if it gets 20 engines per year from this year?

25% of the annual production capacity. 🤣😂

 

[Sudha]

Even Apaches for the Indian Army are delayed. Poor HAL, past reputation is such that people blame them even if the fault lies elsewhere.

For Tejas Mk1a, HAL is responsible for opting for an engine the production of which had ended.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Great News. When Trumpji meets Modiji later this month, everything will be sorted. Many more defence deals will be done by Modiji.

 

[Enforcer]

For Tejas Mk1a, HAL is responsible for opting for an engine the production of which had ended.

Bingo!!!!. Even GE 414's time is over. 404 was used in first gen F18 hornet. Then all hornets got replaced by gen 2 Super hornet with 414 engine. Now they are being replaced by F-35C. Luckily 414 engine has export orders.

 

[Sandeep]

This is good news if it’s true and for once HAL made the right choice by continuing its line of production. We should also set up a team who can make a list of all of the foreign items and parts that we are using and let our private sector companies to manufacture instead. We need to increase the amount of indigenous content that we use to reduce the cost and foreign expensive imports.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

Meaning, may be after the "global supply chain ⛓️ issues" are resolved, which no one knows when ....?

PM is going to visit his "best friend" soon. Will he take it with his "best friend" ?

 

[AK S]

For Tejas Mk1a, HAL is responsible for opting for an engine the production of which had ended.

GE apologist. Blaming HAL is so easy.At least get your facts right. I know I can’t change your perspective. Propagandists have an axe to grind. Maligning competition is oldest and cheapest trick. American and French are so good at it.

First the facts; (I) HAL is not responsible for design and hence engine selection for Tejas. They only manufacture.Engine selection is a whole of system approach. IAF acts as the gatekeeper through CDR.

(II) PNC (MoD and IAF) took three years in price negotiations after HAL RFP. Unbelievable. By that time GE ramped down the production of F404. I understand, it’s one of their oldest engines.

(III) So far HAL has done a pretty good job as far as Mk1A is concerned. HAL took Mk1A from design to first flight in 3 years. And yes, HAL was responsible for the design of Mk1A. ADA was not happy, but they were paid royalties of about Rs 800Cr.

In comparison, your favourite Dassault took five years to deliver first Rafale with all of India Specific Enhancements. These were mere enhancements. Mk1A is like new generation of Tejas. I’ll not go into Mirage upgrades details which is still not completed thanks to Dassault.

 

[AK S]

25% of the annual production capacity. 🤣😂

Better than Dassault though.

HAL managed 8 with production capacity of 16 that too without any new engines. Dassault produced 12 Rafales with claimed capacity of 36 and they control entire ecosystem.

 

[AK S]

Completely agree that it was a huge mistake for going in for an engine the producrion of which had stopped. US got a ready excuse to armtwist Bharat.

Russian engines are the biggest problem area. Otherwise we have multiple options.

 

[AK S]

Great News. When Trumpji meets Modiji later this month, everything will be sorted. Many more defence deals will be done by Modiji.

There is a good chance. We might have to buy some more US equipments … maybe P8I or even Stryker. That’s the price we pay for relying on the US. It’s difficult to align with a global hegemon and agenda.

 

[AK S]

Meaning, may be after the "global supply chain ⛓️ issues" are resolved, which no one knows when ....?

PM is going to visit his "best friend" soon. Will he take it with his "best friend" ?

I hope so. Trump is vocal about India buying more of the US defence equipment. On the the hand we are more interested in the US defence tech and easier immigration. Gonna be tough.

 

[Shanker]

Great News. When Trumpji meets Modiji later this month, everything will be sorted. Many more defence deals will be done by Modiji.

Do you mean to say that both 'Ji's will gell together to resolve the pending supply issues? Not so sure!
Yet, I see a blessing in disguise in those difficulties. Now, Trump may not pressurize India for buying their aircrafts and other weapons. Are we not in a better position now? 🙂