The delivery of the first Tejas Mk1A fighter jet to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been postponed once again, this time to November 2024.
Sources within Hindustan Times indicate that issues with the aircraft's AESA radar and Digital Flight Control Computer, requiring extensive testing, are the primary cause of the delay. The ELM 2052 AESA radar, a critical component, is reportedly facing significant problems.
Adding to the challenges, GE Aerospace, the supplier of F-404 engines for the Tejas, has delayed the delivery of 14 engines due to global supply chain disruptions. HAL now expects to receive only two engines next month.
While HAL has not officially commented on these reports, the delays are raising concerns within the IAF. The induction of new fighter jets is crucial for maintaining combat effectiveness, and the air force has expressed disappointment with the pace of the Tejas Mk1A program. The IAF has urged HAL to expedite the delivery of the 83 jets contracted under a Rs 48,000 crore deal.
The Tejas Mk1A, an advanced variant of the LCA Mk1 already in service with the IAF, is intended to replace the aging MiG-21 fleet. Persistent delays in the program have raised questions about India's indigenous defence capabilities and its ability to meet the IAF's urgent requirements.
The repeated delays in the Tejas Mk1A program are a cause for concern. The IAF urgently needs new fighter jets to replace its aging fleet, and the Tejas Mk1A is a critical part of that plan. HAL needs to address the issues that are causing the delays and deliver the aircraft to the IAF as soon as possible.
