IAF May Only Get 2 Tejas Mk1A This Fiscal Year Amidst Further Delays in GE F-404 Engine Deliveries

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing a significant setback in its modernization plans as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will likely deliver only two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets by the end of this fiscal year, instead of the anticipated 18. This delay is attributed to ongoing supply chain issues plaguing General Electric (GE), the manufacturer of the critical F404 engines that power the Tejas.

The Tejas Mark-1A, an advanced version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, represents a crucial step in enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities. A ₹48,000 crore contract was signed in February 2021 for 83 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft, with deliveries expected to commence by March 2024. However, GE's struggle to meet engine requirements due to supply chain bottlenecks has thrown a wrench in the plans.

Sources reveal that GE can currently provide only two F404 engines, enough for just two Tejas Mark-1A jets. This shortfall leaves the IAF facing a considerable gap in its combat preparedness schedule, as the service was banking on the 18 jets to bolster its frontline squadrons.

"India will be receiving these two engines, allowing HAL to produce and deliver only two aircraft to the IAF by March 2025," sources confirmed. This delay raises concerns about the IAF's wartime preparedness, as the Tejas Mark-1A fleet was intended to play a crucial role in strengthening its operational capabilities.

While HAL is not directly responsible for this setback, the company now faces the challenge of adjusting its production timeline. The delayed supply of F404 engines could also impact delivery targets in the coming years if the supply chain issues persist.

This situation highlights the complexities of modern defensc procurement and the reliance on global supply chains. It underscores the need for diversification and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities to mitigate such risks in the future.

Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently clarified that no penalties have been imposed on General Electric (GE) for delays in the engines deliveries. However, reports indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have raised the issue with US officials during recent visits, emphasizing the urgency of resolving the engine delivery delays.

 

[Shiva]

IAF should order and give separate funds to HAL, as a technology demonstrator project, to replace GE provided engine in the Tejas with AL-31FP engine along with incrase in internal fuel tank size by 100kg.

These two changes if made, then the resultant product behaviour can be tested eventually.
This is some kind of strategically important project.

During the times when needed, like the time of escalation, if there is a shortage of engine, then we must have a tech-ready setup to convert any Tejas into the above product.

Does not matter, the performance of the new product in comparisoin to Tejas, but it is essentially needed, because, we are very much sure, if there is issue of supply even during initial order then there will be a definite delay during the critical time. So, India must be ready with the situation.

This is a true lesson to India, how good is it to rely on US technologies on critical components in strategic products.

 

[Kickasser]

The only thing HAL/ India can do is to ask for ToT of F404 as well. We can help by providing components as well as trained labour for the assembly of engines. There’s no other solution in sight.

 

[PKPRS]

Yes it seems like the case, nothing will happen going forward until a miracle happens, I wonder why these guys are running after engines and wasting precious time, why can’t they change the design of Tejas MK2, I know it’t too late for MK1A, for whatever engine is available, or at-least make twin engine ORCA instead of waiting for foreign engine, we need to learn to live with whatever is available like the chinese way, we have enough population, there will be a couple of crashes initially, but we will learn lessons from the mistakes and make it better eventually.

 

[PKPRS]

The only thing HAL/ India can do is to ask for ToT of F404 as well. We can help by providing components as well as trained labour for the assembly of engines. There’s no other solution in sight.

It is not easy, GE US outsources a lot of components for that engine to South Korea.

 

[VKP]

Why not IAF build its own engine program

 

[Manish Jha]

IAF should order and give separate funds to HAL, as a technology demonstrator project, to replace GE provided engine in the Tejas with AL-31FP engine along with incrase in internal fuel tank size by 100kg.

These two changes if made, then the resultant product behaviour can be tested eventually.
This is some kind of strategically important project.

During the times when needed, like the time of escalation, if there is a shortage of engine, then we must have a tech-ready setup to convert any Tejas into the above product.

Does not matter, the performance of the new product in comparisoin to Tejas, but it is essentially needed, because, we are very much sure, if there is issue of supply even during initial order then there will be a definite delay during the critical time. So, India must be ready with the situation.

This is a true lesson to India, how good is it to rely on US technologies on critical components in strategic products.

Brother, I or any logical person would agree to your suggestions intent but the choice of engine you given is completely irrational.

The problem is that there is no other practical engine currently available in the market which could generate same thrust 81 to 90 KN.

The most reasonable and most easy solution right now is that to merge Kaveri engine with M88 core. As a part of Rafael offset Safran has already did the research and that time they asked additional 1 Billion to perform the integration and certification.

once that is done we can built our core and during life cycle service, we will have our own engine of this 80 to 90 Kn class.

 

[Taus Melek]

Use the engines that will/have been supplied and reverse engineer or use it as spring board to develop Indian engines - this is what china did with Russia. All you need is the guts to do it!

 

[Praveen]

It is not easy, GE US outsources a lot of components for that engine to South Korea.

That is what HAL is right now doing. It is asking ToT for all the components that are manufactured in south Korea and are unable to supply. They are asking this as compensation for breaching the agreement. Then they will be manufactured locally in India. This is latest one I just read on business insider.

 

[Sangram]

Yes it seems like the case, nothing will happen going forward until a miracle happens, I wonder why these guys are running after engines and wasting precious time, why can’t they change the design of Tejas MK2, I know it’t too late for MK1A, for whatever engine is available, or at-least make twin engine ORCA instead of waiting for foreign engine, we need to learn to live with whatever is available like the chinese way, we have enough population, there will be a couple of crashes initially, but we will learn lessons from the mistakes and make it better eventually.

I was also saying same make Tejas MK2 can fit any type of engine.

 

[Anurag]

Use the engines that will/have been supplied and reverse engineer or use it as spring board to develop Indian engines - this is what china did with Russia. All you need is the guts to do it!

It doesn't need guts it's need is money and resources and china has both but we don't, we still depend on many things to others so it will be not a viable option for us!! Guts are other thing but doing something recklessly is more problematic!!

 

[Man-ju]

Everything is not black or white. Things are gray. I don't completely put the blame of GE but HAL is equally responsible for this mess, as they should have placed the order well before anticipating a deal from IAF. There maybe an engine delay, but why can't HAL upgrade current MK1 fleet to MK1A standards? Can they assemble the airframes and assure quick delivery as soon as engines arrive? Why was there was only an 18min test flight since one year given HAL has test beds with them but no news about weapons integration tests or any certification news? It's hard to give a clean chit to HAL during this delay.

 

[Pramkumar]

only option for the IAF is make the Tejas to fly with Kaveri engine.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Meanwhile they should as much assembling as they can, so that when jet engines arrive only fitting, minor adjustments and testing-validation remains.

 

[Harsh]

You think Boeing has a supply chain problem with F404? Wait till we start twiddling our thumb for F414. Indian F414 may not be available till 2040. MoD needs to find a better balance between technological superiority and geopolitical reality. MOD, ADA, HAL, GTRE, by sponsoring GE/Safran engines have abdicated their own responsibility in not delivering a military grade engine for last 30 years. And it is not a matter of govt not giving them sufficient funds.

 

[Strongman]

Anyone following the development already knew that this was going to happen. Nothing "unexpected" about this. India should get the Kaveri certified and design plane around that.

 

[Anant]

I was also saying same make Tejas MK2 can fit any type of engine.

You can't design an aircraft to fit any type of engine. You need to build it into the design, both for physical dimensions, thrust, weight distribution, etc.

 

[Anant]

only option for the IAF is make the Tejas to fly with Kaveri engine.

Long-term, yes. Assuming the Kaveri is ready for operations by the time the aircraft come in for their first major refits, we can even fit in the Kaveri. For now, however, there is no other alternative.

 

[RG]

The problem is that there is no other practical engine currently available in the market which could generate same thrust 81 to 90 KN.

What is the problem of using a higher thrust engine, they can alway operate at lower power.

 

[RG]

Unless India will gravel before US, all this technology or product will not be available to India, time and time again it has been proven. India needs to start being pragmatic in technology development rather than try to match the brochure capability of product marketing. Go through faster iteration for product development have incremental agile development.

 

[Anant]

What is the problem of using a higher thrust engine, they can alway operate at lower power.

They can, but an engine with higher thrust will also generally be larger and heavier. That needs to be accounted for in airframe design. Moreover, having a higher thrust setting also means that this higher setting will have to be accounted for in the airframe.

 

[RG]

They can, but an engine with higher thrust will also generally be larger and heavier. That needs to be accounted for in airframe design. Moreover, having a higher thrust setting also means that this higher setting will have to be accounted for in the airframe.

Yes, once the challenge is overcome, you have a solution, that has more capability then required. A problem of plenty is better to have, then shortage of power. Yes agree it will be less efficient, but it can do the job., The best part it will be available. More power in smaller platform should be easier to adjust in the design platform. The engine can be made lighter as it will be operating in a regime without requirement extreme temperature. Lot of possibilities here.

 

[Akshat]

It doesn't need guts it's need is money and resources and china has both but we don't, we still depend on many things to others so it will be not a viable option for us!! Guts are other thing but doing something recklessly is more problematic!!

It also needs an honest and hard working organization, and not GTRE.

 

[Manish Jha]

What is the problem of using a higher thrust engine, they can alway operate at lower power.

You think and then answer. The size and wait of AL31 is much higher. If we think of using it then it won't be LCA anymore. The entire aircraft has to recertify again if we have to use any new engine and it would be a completely new aircraft not Tejas.

 

[Kira]

Long-term, yes. Assuming the Kaveri is ready for operations by the time the aircraft come in for their first major refits, we can even fit in the Kaveri. For now, however, there is no other alternative.

I believe it's almost impossible to reengine a jet with a different engine in future,it's far too cumbersome and expensive of an endeavour.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Situations are forcing us to go really atmanirbhar by making TEDBFs IAF variant with kaveri engine.

 

[RG]

You think and then answer. The size and wait of AL31 is much higher. If we think of using it then it won't be LCA anymore. The entire aircraft has to recertify again if we have to use any new engine and it would be a completely new aircraft not Tejas.

Whatever the aircraft the new iteration is, at least it can be produced and delivered on time. I don't care if it is LCA or XYZ, hopefully just an engine change would not take another 10 years. Building from scratch is different then tweeting the existing systems to accomated changes, when you have gone through the rigor of building the product. That is the beauty of owning the design and IP right, and understanding all the parts how it will behave.

 

[Anurag]

It also needs an honest and hard working organization, and not GTRE.

I don't want to become idealistic here bro!! In my country the worse thing is honest and hard working people are punished for their hard work and honesty due to politics!!

About GTRE they are not bad as people think but the main thing is this lab is not getting much more support from the GoI as no testing facility even no certification agency is available!! Their should be more investment in R&D but still we are lacking basic infrastructure for the world most critical tech.

 

[Ankit Singhal]

India should put sanctions on buying defense related arms and fighter jets on America. Solution to this problem would be buy 36 Rafale with same pricing and specifications of 2016 rafale deal. Give one year to HAL to come up with Tejas mk2 with new saffron engine. This to meet deadline of 2030 for tejas mk2. This will make pavement for AMCA as well. Keep Tejas MK1 hanging until GE start delivering but stop all future orders of America altogether...

 

[avinash]

IAF should order and give separate funds to HAL, as a technology demonstrator project, to replace GE provided engine in the Tejas with AL-31FP engine along with incrase in internal fuel tank size by 100kg.

Better go for RD33MK, comparable weight, assuming dimensions also similar, and thrust is equivalent to ge404. India has been producing RD33, so there wont be much issues. Regarding certification for use of RD33 on single engine jet then, it can be fastpaced.