HAL Unveils 9th Tejas Mk1A, Aims to Deliver 12 Jets This Year to Raise IAF’s First Dedicated Squadron of 4.5-Gen Fighter

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has marked a significant step forward in India’s indigenous military aviation programme, with the ninth Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, bearing the tail number LA-5041, now ready for delivery.

This milestone keeps the state-owned manufacturer on track to supply a total of 12 advanced jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of 2025, enabling the formation of the first dedicated squadron of this 4.5-generation aircraft.

The production push is a key component of the nation's strategic effort to enhance its air defence capabilities and promote self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The company anticipates having a total of ten Tejas Mk1A jets completed by the end of this month (July 2025), demonstrating an accelerated production rhythm. Following LA-5041, three additional aircraft (LA-5042, LA-5043, and LA-5044) are in advanced stages of assembly at HAL's Nashik facility.

Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by HAL, the Tejas Mk1A is a substantially upgraded version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). It is designed to replace the IAF's aging fleet of MiG-21 fighters.

The aircraft features superior avionics, including an Israeli ELTA EL/M-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a digital radar warning receiver, and an external self-protection jammer.

Its combat versatility is enhanced by its compatibility with advanced beyond-visual-range missiles like the indigenous Astra and the Israeli Derby, making it proficient in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

The IAF, which currently operates with a squadron strength of around 31 against a sanctioned requirement of 42, views the Tejas Mk1A as critical to bridging this gap. The force signed a contract worth approximately ₹48,000 crore in February 2021 for 83 jets, which includes 73 single-seat fighters and 10 twin-seat trainers.

To further bolster its fleet, the Ministry of Defence issued a tender in April 2024 for an additional 97 aircraft, bringing the total planned induction to 180 Tejas Mk1A jets.

The first squadron is expected to be composed of 16 fighters and two trainers and may be stationed at Sulur Air Force Station or a forward airbase in the western sector.

To meet this rising demand, HAL has expanded its manufacturing infrastructure. The facility in Nashik, inaugurated in April 2023, functions as the third production line for the Tejas, complementing the two existing lines in Bengaluru.

This expansion has increased HAL's annual production capacity from 16 to 24 aircraft, with plans for a fourth line to further boost output to 32 jets per year by 2027.

This ramp-up has been aided by collaboration with private sector partners, such as VEM Technologies for the center fuselage and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the wings, alongside the adoption of modern techniques like robotic drilling to reduce assembly time.

Despite the progress, the programme has encountered significant challenges, most notably delays in the supply of F404-IN20 engines from General Electric (GE) Aerospace. These supply chain disruptions pushed the original delivery timeline from March 2024 into mid-2025.

The delay prompted public frustration from officials, with Air Chief Marshal AP Singh remarking at a 2025 industry summit that "technology delayed is technology denied," underscoring the urgency of the IAF's modernization needs.

To work around the issue, HAL has been using alternate engines for ground trials and initial tests to ensure the airframes are ready for the final certified engines upon their arrival.

Looking ahead, GE is expected to supply 12 of the F404-IN20 engines in 2025, with the supply rate increasing to 20 engines annually from 2026.

With the airframe and advanced electronic warfare systems now integrated, the Tejas Mk1A is scheduled to undergo critical firing trials of the Astra missile in August 2025.

In a major boost to indigenous content, HAL plans to equip the aircraft with the locally developed Uttam AESA radar starting from the 41st jet, which will increase the fighter's overall indigenous composition to over 70%.

 

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[sanket]

Good, I was first to say HAL has kept ready more than 6 Tejas MK1A, while GE has to match HAL Tejas MK1A production rate and has to supply GE-404 engines. At the moment, HAL is leading.

 

[SURESH RAO]

We should go for very, very large numbers of reasonably priced fighter jets and should not allow our pilots to fly old fighter jets like Jaguars. This year, we lost three Jaguars and also pilots. We should never allow this to happen. Going for very, very expensive fighter jets will limit our numbers and will make our pilots fly very old jets.

 

[Parveen Gahlot]

I think these jets are fitted with old engines, so engines needed to be changed before handed over to IAF.

 

[Ndawg]

I think these jets are fitted with old engines, so engines needed to be changed before handed over to IAF.

Cat B engines aren't, strictly speaking, "old" engines. They're kept in environmentally controlled facilities, shrink-wrapped; they generally work just the same as a new engine. It's not like they're end-of-life, as when the new engine is worn out, they'd be swapped to Cat B engines anyway.

Besides, the whole delay was to deliver them with new engines; that's already known.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

The HF - Marut was an indigenous fighter jet made by HAL, in late 60's and early 70's its truth is known to very few. This was used extensively by IAF in 1971 war against pakistan. So why no further progress in India air defense industry, well the very bold and clear reason was the dead will power of previous governments and bureaucratic power of suppressing the projects. Tejas is no different case at this moment. Absolutely no doubt that Tejas and the successive generations of Tejas are a defining moment of India aerospace vision. The Tejas and AMCA will definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel with the way now the PMO itself is getting involved. I read one of the ex air force pilot article where he specified that AMCA should be directly governed by PMO and it should be made a national project, I would further suggest that not only AMCA but Tejas, AMCA and our vision for indigenous jet engine programs should be directly governed by PMO. The use of our home grown products should be incorporated in the home grown projects. Our aim should be to have all indigenous systems in Tejas and AMCA with dependance on engine only at present. That will make a remarkable about 90% self reliance. The differences if any between the organizations should not hamper the Make in India mission and this should get sorted by GOI and MoD. All responsible should be made answerable with specified timelines to complete the tasks. A real war front work by all involved will definitely mark a significant difference. I believe that now the PMO only should look into and resolve the jet engine issue for an indigenous engine ASAP.

 

[Madan]

The HF - Marut was an indigenous fighter jet made by HAL, in late 60's and early 70's its truth is known to very few. This was used extensively by IAF in 1971 war against pakistan. So why no further progress in India air defense industry, well the very bold and clear reason was the dead will power of previous governments and bureaucratic power of suppressing the projects. Tejas is no different case at this moment. Absolutely no doubt that Tejas and the successive generations of Tejas are a defining moment of India aerospace vision. The Tejas and AMCA will definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel with the way now the PMO itself is getting involved. I read one of the ex air force pilot article where he specified that AMCA should be directly governed by PMO and it should be made a national project, I would further suggest that not only AMCA but Tejas, AMCA and our vision for indigenous jet engine programs should be directly governed by PMO. The use of our home grown products should be incorporated in the home grown projects. Our aim should be to have all indigenous systems in Tejas and AMCA with dependance on engine only at present. That will make a remarkable about 90% self reliance. The differences if any between the organizations should not hamper the Make in India mission and this should get sorted by GOI and MoD. All responsible should be made answerable with specified timelines to complete the tasks. A real war front work by all involved will definitely mark a significant difference. I believe that now the PMO only should look into and resolve the jet engine issue for an indigenous engine ASAP.

You are absolutely right. These programmes can only be successful if these are monitored by PMO directly instead of Defence ministry babus or any other agencies. PM himself has to get involved otherwise programmes will remain on paper till next century.

 

[tinopol]

Good, I was first to say HAL has kept ready more than 6 Tejas MK1A, while GE has to match HAL Tejas MK1A production rate and has to supply GE-404 engines. At the moment, HAL is leading.

See if you can use the old engines if found equivalent to required types. Also old engine of mig can be used to open and learn the core part of engine.

 

[Pankajrai]

Assembly part is ok but how we het the engines ? Has GE delivered another batch of F404 engines ? If not, how we got the engines of these 9-10 newly assembled Tejas MK1A. The information is not clear about the engine integration.