LCA Tejas Fighter Jet Marks 24 Years Since Maiden Flight, Yet IAF Only Able to Induct 40 Jets, Future Hopes Rest on Mk1A Variant

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, a flagship program of India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, recently marked 24 years since its maiden flight on January 4, 2001.

While the platform represents a significant step towards self-reliance in defence technology, the program has faced criticism for its slow pace of development, production delays, and limited induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) even after two decades.

Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the LCA Tejas was envisioned as a fourth-generation lightweight, multi-role combat aircraft to replace India's aging MiG-21 fighters. It was designed to strengthen India's defence manufacturing ecosystem and reduce reliance on foreign imports.

The first flight of the LCA prototype in 2001 was a moment of pride for India, marking a milestone in indigenous defence technology. The aircraft showcased advanced features such as composite airframes, fly-by-wire systems, and modern avionics.

However, despite the promising start, the program has been plagued by delays, bureaucratic hurdles, and technical challenges. Some of the key issues include:

• Extended Development Timeline: The LCA program, sanctioned in 1983, saw its first prototype fly only in 2001, with operational clearance achieved much later. This extended timeline has raised concerns about efficiency.
• Limited Inductions: The IAF has inducted only 40 Tejas Mk1 aircraft, a far cry from the numbers initially envisioned.
• Production Bottlenecks: HAL's production capacity has struggled to keep pace with demand, further delaying the program.
• Evolving Requirements: Rapid advancements in aviation technology and the IAF's evolving operational needs have necessitated constant upgrades, contributing to delays.

The Tejas Mk1A, an upgraded version with advanced avionics, AESA radar, reduced maintenance requirements, and air-to-air refuelling capability, is expected to address many of the shortcomings of the original Mk1 variant. The first Mk1A aircraft is slated for delivery by March 2025, with the complete order of 83 jets expected by 2029.

Looking ahead, the Tejas Mk2, a medium-weight fighter, and the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program are under development to meet future requirements. However, these programs must learn from the challenges faced by the Tejas Mk1 to ensure timely delivery and operational readiness.

While the LCA Tejas program has undoubtedly contributed to India's aerospace industry, its slow progress and limited output underscore systemic challenges in India's defence manufacturing sector.

Greater private sector involvement, streamlined bureaucratic processes, and a more agile approach to development are crucial for future indigenous defence programs to achieve their full potential.

 

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[Rational Guy]

Tejas mirrors overall development and progress of India itself while Chinese aerospace program mirrors China's overall development: one competes with the best of the best of the world while another is still lackluster and underdeveloped in many if not most aspects.

 

[Sreedhar Radhakrishna]

1983 to first flight in 2001 was indeed a great achievement for India, as this was achieved against several odds like American sanctions being one of them. But to get FOC in 2019, it took 18 years. It was here, we lost precious time. Many factors for this. One major factor is the IAF changing specifications very frequently and demanding that all these changes to be implemented for granting FOC. They were more interested in the imported MRFA.
However past is past. But we have a major hurdle now. GE is delaying engine supplies with the intention of sabotaging the Tejas project and our own Kaveri engine is nowhere ready. Our fundamental mistake was to select an American engine, who cannot be trusted.
The Mk2 project might also suffer the same challenge

 

[Sudha]

1983 to first flight in 2001 was indeed a great achievement for India, as this was achieved against several odds like American sanctions being one of them. But to get FOC in 2019, it took 18 years. It was here, we lost precious time. Many factors for this. One major factor is the IAF changing specifications very frequently and demanding that all these changes to be implemented for granting FOC. They were more interested in the imported MRFA.
However past is past. But we have a major hurdle now. GE is delaying engine supplies with the intention of sabotaging the Tejas project and our own Kaveri engine is nowhere ready. Our fundamental mistake was to select an American engine, who cannot be trusted.
The Mk2 project might also suffer the same challenge

How do you think IAF will fight with 3rd gen aircraft (replacement of mig21 a 3rd gen fighter) with adversaries having 4++ gen fighters? If tejas was delivered as scheduled in early 1990s then IAF would not have asked for changes. Due to huge delays it was imperative for IAF to ask for changes to face 4++ gen aircrafts. Blame HAL for the delays due to which changes were required.

 

[Sudha]

Tejas mirrors overall development and progress of India itself while Chinese aerospace program mirrors China's overall development: one competes with the best of the best of the world while another is still lackluster and underdeveloped in many if not most aspects.

Basically it was the delay by HAL due to which Bharat is in this sorry situation. It is nothing related to economic development. A very strange comment.

 

[SURESH RAO]

GE will start delivering 404 engine from this year. India will buy additional 200 GE 404 engines

 

[Sudha]

GE will start delivering 404 engine from this year. India will buy additional 200 GE 404 engines

The implementation of penalty clause has given US deep state the jitters. Hopefully after Trump gets the power, the delivery will start.

 

[Darknite]

Must invest now in pilotless fighters, bombers and drones. This is 2 step ahead instead of putting everything into 4.5 ish tech while neighbours focus on 6++ gen.

 

[FROST]

The time line itself is proving HAL's efficiency. It is not a white elephant but white mammoth and a waste. Let the Govt pamper HAL. But let them bring in industry players

 

[SURESH RAO]

Why did they cancel 126 MRFA deal in 2016. They should have gone for it. We could have bargained 126 fighter jets for $20 billion. But we ended up paying $9 billion for 36 jets only.

Who was that idiot who cancelled that 126 MRFA deal. Maybe that idiot was full of head weight and could not visualize that IAF will end up with the current situation

 

[Rational Guy]

Basically it was the delay by HAL due to which Bharat is in this sorry situation. It is nothing related to economic development. A very strange comment.

BS and you know it. China spent more on engines alone then perhaps what we spent on the entire LCA program lol.

 

[V SRINIVASAN]

The author intention is doubtful. For 20 yrs, the congress Govt was happy buying even socks from foreign countries so that they could get commission. 20yrs no money was allocated for development of even Bullet proof Jacket, leave alone engines and design for aircraft.
F16 took 27 yrs of research on continous basis. After 10 yrs of Modiji, we are only handicapped on engines, because we trusted Ass hole US.
Safran and Sukhoi Engines will replace GE so fast that US will not know what hit them. Wait and watch

 

[Rinku Pandey]

The implementation of penalty clause has given US deep state the jitters. Hopefully after Trump gets the power, the delivery will start.

India can't impose penalties on GE? Our entire Mk1A, Mk2, AMCA will be a big zilch. GoI knew GE404 was out of production when they signed the deal for GE404.

 

[Sandeep]

Why did they cancel 126 MRFA deal in 2016. They should have gone for it. We could have bargained 126 fighter jets for $20 billion. But we ended up paying $9 billion for 36 jets only.

Who was that idiot who cancelled that 126 MRFA deal. Maybe that idiot was full of head weight and could not visualize that IAF will end up with the current situation

They had to cancel it because dassault refused to provide any warranty to anything made by HAL as they lacked the skilled manpower, modern machinery, modern facilities, modern manufacturing practices or processes and they were refusing to provide the high amount of critical technology and equipment we wanted. Also the price to manufacture it in India was costing much more than buying it directly from dassault. Negotiations were stuck and no progress was being made.

As for the price dassault had to pay 50% as offset so the real cost is about $4.5 billion. This also includes the weapons package, spares, total life cycle cost and Indian specific enhancements. So we got a very good deal in the end.

 

[Goutom C]

Tejas mirrors overall development and progress of India itself while Chinese aerospace program mirrors China's overall development: one competes with the best of the best of the world while another is still lackluster and underdeveloped in many if not most aspects.

Hate myself for this, but have to agree with your observations. China is at least 100 years ahead of Bharat in all aspects. That's primarily because of the collective will of the Chinese. They don't have the "Babu" culture, and they move on with methods fair and foul, even if it means reverse engineering. There needs to be a complete overhaul of our systems, or else we will keep on chest-beating while a small, debt-ridden country like Turkey is now selling their indigenous fighter jets to Spain.

 

[Sandeep]

HAL needs to overhaul it’s entire staff, manufacturing practices, use the latest machinery and technology so that they can stick to the deadline.

They also need to sort out its delay and start manufacturing Tejas MK1A as all of the technology and equipment has been developed and certified.

Now they need to quickly start manufacturing the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototype which will allow us to certify the technology, equipment, weapons and capabilities.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

I was one of those who was very proud of India's great effort to produce homegrown fighter aircraft. But years thereafter waiting anxiously for progression to next level but disappointingly nothing much happened to keep up pace due multiple constraints. Looking back, 24 years on and still struggling to produce an advanced variant of Tejas is just just too much to stomach. The way I look at it following the snail pace progress it occurs to me there are two people, inefficient top management executives and less enthusiastic bureaucracy showing Lukewarm interest in funding stand responsible for this mess.

 

[Calvin]

What the heck does that mean - hampered by slow pace ?? What we want is for the air force to show some initiative ... work with the government and apply pressure on them to make a choice and begin production of the chosen model for the MRFA as soon as possible. The people are with you on this.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

Considering the lack of motivation, lack of aggression towards indigenization, sluggishness, laid back attitude, choking red tapism, highly corrupt, spineless and always enjoying riding on the western shoulders and not willing to stand and walk on own legs etc in India across both political and bureaucracy, only if HAL delivered it's promises on time would've been a shock.

 

[BCharlie]

Tejas mirrors overall development and progress of India itself while Chinese aerospace program mirrors China's overall development: one competes with the best of the best of the world while another is still lackluster and underdeveloped in many if not most aspects.

We have 5 fingers on one hand.. we point all them 5 fingers in separate directions blaming, accusing, targetting others for the delays, all failures, non development & progress. We are very efficient & quick in blaming somebody else; Thats why we are where we are at present;

 

[Radium]

Tejas mirrors overall development and progress of India itself while Chinese aerospace program mirrors China's overall development: one competes with the best of the best of the world while another is still lackluster and underdeveloped in many if not most aspects.

India always wants to compare itself with China, comparing urban construction, high-speed rail, and weapons and equipment. The problem is that India and China are not at the same level, there is no comparability!
India's weapons equipment and weapons R&D level in Asia is only in the middle reaches. Japan, Israel, South Korea and Türkiye are all better than India. India and Vietnam are similar.

 

[Hita Techi]

5 years to make 83 3rd gen with 4th gen technology meanwhile our rival making 100 stealth 5th gen and 200 4th gen a year