IAF Expects to Raise Three Squadrons of Tejas Mk1A by Late 2026 as F404 Engine Deliveries Stabilize

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is on track to significantly enhance its combat capability by inducting three squadrons of the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A fighter jet by the end of 2026.

This development comes as supply chain issues concerning the aircraft's American-made GE F404 engines begin to resolve, paving the way for a steady production and delivery schedule.

The first of these new units is scheduled to be established at Nal Air Force Station in Rajasthan by late 2025. A second squadron will also be raised in Rajasthan, expected to be operational by early 2026.

The strategic placement of these first two squadrons in the western sector is designed to substantially strengthen India's air defence posture along its border with Pakistan.

Each squadron is expected to operate a standard complement of 18 aircraft, comprising 16 fighter jets and two trainers.

A third Tejas Mk1A squadron is planned for induction by late 2026 at the critical Srinagar Air Base. This unit is slated to replace the IAF's existing MiG-29UPG squadron, which has been a mainstay of air defence in the northern sector for years.

Deploying the modern Tejas Mk1A to Srinagar highlights the IAF's confidence in the aircraft's ability to operate in the challenging high-altitude environment and its key role in monitoring the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

The Tejas Mk1A is a more advanced version of the Light Combat Aircraft, featuring significant upgrades. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art Israeli EL/M-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for superior target detection and an advanced electronic warfare suite for improved self-protection.

Furthermore, the aircraft is capable of firing the indigenous Astra Mk1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, boosting its lethality and promoting India's self-reliance in defence technology.

The successful formation of these squadrons hinges on the manufacturing capacity of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The public-sector enterprise is targeting the delivery of the first Tejas Mk1A aircraft by September 2025.

While previously hampered by engine supply delays, HAL is now ramping up production at its facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik, with the goal of producing 24 jets annually to meet the IAF's operational timeline.

 

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[Somnath Sinhababu]

Tejas Mk1 or 1A, whatever it is, it's not even a fighter jet; it's a joke. I can understand about Tejas Mk2, and it will be a good option. The IAF is forced to buy Tejas Mk1A. The Navy denied it. The IAF should not place any further order for Mk1A. It should focus more on Mk2 and Rafael production in India and a few squadrons of 5th-gen jets. Producing a large number of Rafales in India will make more sense than giving a further order for Tejas Mk1A. Even an additional order for the SU30 is also a good idea.

 

[BHARAT KA BETA]

In the current scenario where IAF squadron strength is depleting in comparison to our main adversaries, we need at least 14 squadrons (14×18=252) of Tejas Mk1A around 2035, and Tejas Mk2 in bigger numbers than Mk1A.

 

[DS]

Good but better induction needed to bring in 400 new fighters for IAF , all built at home.

 

[Sandeep]

Tejas Mk1 or 1A, whatever it is, it's not even a fighter jet; it's a joke. I can understand about Tejas Mk2, and it will be a good option. The IAF is forced to buy Tejas Mk1A. The Navy denied it. The IAF should not place any further order for Mk1A. It should focus more on Mk2 and Rafael production in India and a few squadrons of 5th-gen jets. Producing a large number of Rafales in India will make more sense than giving a further order for Tejas Mk1A. Even an additional order for the SU30 is also a good idea.

What a load of rubbish!

The Tejas MK1A is a very important, reliable, lethal, capable, and deadly jet which also has the smallest RCS of any other jet. Its large use of composites and small size give it some stealth characteristics which gives us an advantage. For a small jet, it can still carry a large number of missiles and bombs by using double or triple pylons on each hardpoint, and it can use Russian, Indian, Israeli, French, USA, and MBDA missiles, which no jet in the world can do!

 

[Sandeep]

It will be great if it actually happens but a squadron has around 18-20 jets each which will take time to build up due to HALs delay and mismanagement. What they need to do is increase the amount of private sector participation.

Also what they should do is quickly complete testing the Uttam radar and certify it so that we can use it from the 40th Tejas MK1A onwards as soon as possible. At the same time start to increase the indigenous content rate and replace other foreign parts, components and technology with an indigenously developed and manufactured one instead.

Also to increase our squadron strength then we need to quickly manufacture the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototype jets which will be our main offensive. Then we will need to complete all of its tests and trials as soon as possible and finally let production begin in large numbers.

 

[Vishwanath Thomre]

Tejas Mk1 or 1A, whatever it is, it's not even a fighter jet; it's a joke. I can understand about Tejas Mk2, and it will be a good option. The IAF is forced to buy Tejas Mk1A. The Navy denied it. The IAF should not place any further order for Mk1A. It should focus more on Mk2 and Rafael production in India and a few squadrons of 5th-gen jets. Producing a large number of Rafales in India will make more sense than giving a further order for Tejas Mk1A. Even an additional order for the SU30 is also a good idea.

Tejas and its variants are not at all a joke. We Indians have a very bad habit of downgrading our own assets. I am of the strong opinion that Tejas and its variants will outsmart Rafale in the coming days. Tejas will not be a joke as this is completely the Indian make, and we will have extraordinary control over this jet. Recent trials show that the Mk1A has shown an increased capacity to carry more than the estimated load. Tejas variants will have all the possible munitions carrying capacity. The BrahMos and its variants are possible with Tejas, which is lacked by Rafale, giving it an added advantage.

In the coming years, Tejas and its variants will be a game changer in the Indian skies for sure.

 

[R. Singh]

Better ink deal to make Ge-404 (enhanced-90 KN) engines in India or make engines in India seek tech from Rolls Royce/Safran because we will require hundreds of GE series of Engines for Tejas- Tejas-AF-2, TEDBF and AMCA-MK- 1

 

[Dredd]

In the current scenario where IAF squadron strength is depleting in comparison to our main adversaries, we need at least 14 squadrons (14×18=252) of Tejas Mk1A around 2035, and Tejas Mk2 in bigger numbers than Mk1A.

Once Tejas Mk2 arrives, we should go all in for Tejas Mk2 for numbers. Tejas Mk1A is a compromise until Tejas Mk2 is certified for production. IMO, 83+97 is a good enough number for Tejas Mk1A. We should make sure Tejas Mk2 doesn't miss the deadline and is ready by 2030.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

Tejas Mk1 or 1A, whatever it is, it's not even a fighter jet; it's a joke. I can understand about Tejas Mk2, and it will be a good option. The IAF is forced to buy Tejas Mk1A. The Navy denied it. The IAF should not place any further order for Mk1A. It should focus more on Mk2 and Rafael production in India and a few squadrons of 5th-gen jets. Producing a large number of Rafales in India will make more sense than giving a further order for Tejas Mk1A. Even an additional order for the SU30 is also a good idea.

Sometimes we are too sceptic just because it is a Made in India platform. Just think of the 100% autonomy that we will have with Tejas platform. Rafale does not give you that autonomy, Tejas is capable to carry Brahmos and Brahmos NG and all other home grown munitions making it a very affordable platform. Tejas is the best in the making far more superior than the Rafale and F35 known for its emergency landings. Time will prove it. Have trust on Indian engineers and scientists they really make best things.

 

[आक्रोशित युवक]

Tejas Mk1 or 1A, whatever it is, it's not even a fighter jet; it's a joke. I can understand about Tejas Mk2, and it will be a good option. The IAF is forced to buy Tejas Mk1A. The Navy denied it. The IAF should not place any further order for Mk1A. It should focus more on Mk2 and Rafael production in India and a few squadrons of 5th-gen jets. Producing a large number of Rafales in India will make more sense than giving a further order for Tejas Mk1A. Even an additional order for the SU30 is also a good idea.

I don't think so. Mk1 and mk1a are atleast 4th generation at the very least. Still much better options then ancient migs and jaguars. I am pretty sure that mrfa and tejas mk2 will both be pushed further ahead in their respective timelines. At such a point, we can't afford to shut down functioning production lines of tejas mk1a. We have to keep pumping out jets. They may not be as good. But they will still not be widow makers

 

[Akash7645]

Tejas Mk1 or 1A, whatever it is, it's not even a fighter jet; it's a joke. I can understand about Tejas Mk2, and it will be a good option. The IAF is forced to buy Tejas Mk1A. The Navy denied it. The IAF should not place any further order for Mk1A. It should focus more on Mk2 and Rafael production in India and a few squadrons of 5th-gen jets. Producing a large number of Rafales in India will make more sense than giving a further order for Tejas Mk1A. Even an additional order for the SU30 is also a good idea.

You are a joke bro. If you do not have enough intelligence, please go and watch useless reels.

 

[Peekay]

4 months on 2025 and 12 months of 2026. Thats like 16 months and 54 aircrafts. HAL has esrlier said it would ramp up production to 24 aircrafts per year by 2027. So this 3 squadran dream by 2026 will be a reality only by 2028-29 if everything from here goes right.

 

[bks78]

Tejas Mk1 or 1A, whatever it is, it's not even a fighter jet; it's a joke. I can understand about Tejas Mk2, and it will be a good option. The IAF is forced to buy Tejas Mk1A. The Navy denied it. The IAF should not place any further order for Mk1A. It should focus more on Mk2 and Rafael production in India and a few squadrons of 5th-gen jets. Producing a large number of Rafales in India will make more sense than giving a further order for Tejas Mk1A. Even an additional order for the SU30 is also a good idea.

Tejas MK1A will be like a backend fighter jets used for closed range combat whose relevance is finished because of BVR missiles. Today every fighter jets equipped with long range BVR missiles and shots the enemy fighter jets at 200 to 400km range. Tejas MK1A can be fitted with Astra mk2 (160- 200km range) missile, Brahmosh NG. But due to lesser fuel capacity, can remain in air for less time.

 

[bks78]

Now HAL chairman is saying Tejas MK2 will fly in 2027. Delay and delay... MK2 will be the backbone of IAF. Govt should plan to shift Tejas MK2 to a pvt consortium seeing HAL incapability .

 

[kunitesh]

HAL has to stop sharing false expectations to IAF and people if India and prove that it can really deliver instead of pushing delivery dates all the time like we just saw with MK2 timelines

 

[Ashram]

All this talk ..only if we get engines....GE has supplied two till now and has committed 2 every month ...do your calculations....