MoD Urges HAL to Deliver Tejas Mark-1A Jets by Next Year to Boost IAF Fleet

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has put the pressure on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to stick to the delivery timeline for the Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets, emphasizing the urgency of getting 18 of these advanced aircraft into the hands of the Indian Air Force (IAF) by March 2025.

HAL Playing Catch-Up​

Initially, HAL was expected to deliver these jets by March 2024, but due to supply chain disruptions and other production hurdles, the deadline has been pushed back.

The MoD is working closely with HAL to ensure that the revised deadline is met, as the IAF is eager to bolster its fleet with these indigenously-developed fighter jets.

The Nashik Factor​

HAL is banking on a new production line in Nashik, which is slated to be operational by November of this year, to ramp up production and meet the new deadline. The company is also working to resolve the supply chain issues that have hampered production.

Why is the Tejas Mark-1A So Important?​

The Tejas Mark-1A is an upgraded version of the Tejas Mark-1, already in service with the IAF. It boasts improved avionics, radar systems, and electronic warfare capabilities, making it a valuable asset in modern aerial combat.

The IAF is counting on these new jets to replace older aircraft that are being phased out and to enhance its overall combat readiness.

What This Means for India​

The successful and timely delivery of the Tejas Mark-1A jets would be a major win for both HAL and the Indian defense sector. It would demonstrate India's growing capabilities in the aerospace industry and its commitment to self-reliance in defense production.

The IAF, in turn, would gain a significant boost in its capabilities, further solidifying its position as a formidable force in the region.

What's Next?​

The MoD and HAL are working closely to ensure the smooth delivery of these crucial fighter jets. The coming months will be critical as HAL ramps up production and works to overcome any remaining challenges.

All eyes are on them as the March 2025 deadline approaches, with the hope that the Tejas Mark-1A will soon take its place as a key component of the Indian Air Force's fleet.

 

[Anant]

MoD can push for all their heart's desire, and they can keep conducting these review meetings till the cows come home. The fact remains that HAL will fall well below that number.

Leave 18. If HAL delivers 9 Tejas Mk 1As by March, I'll be surprised. And to think we pin the hopes of maintaining the IAF's strength on this organisation...

 

[Akshat]

MoD can push for all their heart's desire, and they can keep conducting these review meetings till the cows come home. The fact remains that HAL will fall well below that number.

Leave 18. If HAL delivers 9 Tejas Mk 1As by March, I'll be surprised. And to think we pin the hopes of maintaining the IAF's strength on this organisation...

All the HAL apologists were denying the original delivery schedule and were name calling me. Then they blamed IAF for apparent changes. Now the proof is out in the open. Lets see if all those who blamed IAF come out or not.

 

[Mridul baruah]

MoD can push for all their heart's desire, and they can keep conducting these review meetings till the cows come home. The fact remains that HAL will fall well below that number.

Leave 18. If HAL delivers 9 Tejas Mk 1As by March, I'll be surprised. And to think we pin the hopes of maintaining the IAF's strength on this organisation...

9 is wishful thinking. 6 is the number I will go with.

 

[Mridul baruah]

LOL 18 in less than a year. Do not expect more than 6 to be delivered.

 

[Anant]

All the HAL apologists were denying the original delivery schedule and were name calling me. Then they blamed IAF for apparent changes. Now the proof is out in the open. Lets see if all those who blamed IAF come out or not.

I always agree with you on HAL's inability to deliver on anything that even remotely resembles the schedule, boss. As I said, if they can somehow work a miracle and deliver 9, that'll be too much.

 

[Anant]

9 is wishful thinking. 6 is the number I will go with.

Eh, I am an optimist. If they target 12, they'll manage 6, hopefully. If they target 16 or 18, they might just about reach 8 or 9.

 

[Sridhar]

Inordinate delay will only lead to IAF not having adequate strength for combat operations and ultimately take the blame for inadequacy.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Eh, I am an optimist. If they target 12, they'll manage 6, hopefully. If they target 16 or 18, they might just about reach 8 or 9.

I am an optimist too.
I am hopeful of another round of HAL's speciality excuses by the year end, in lieu of delivery of even a single Tejas Mk1A.

 

[Sudha]

Emphasising is not enough. Find out the reason & fire the person(s) who is (are) responsible for the delay.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

I always agree with you on HAL's inability to deliver on anything that even remotely resembles the schedule, boss. As I said, if they can somehow work a miracle and deliver 9, that'll be too much.

9?

Believe me, the first delivery is where HAL's brain go to sleep. If they manage to deliver one by end of the year. Then on, the going will be much smoother. My rant is for the first delivery itself.

 

[Anant]

9?

Believe me, the first delivery is where HAL's brain go to sleep. If they manage to deliver one by end of the year. Then on, the going will be much smoother. My rant is for the first delivery itself.

It would get smoother after the first few dozen deliveries, boss, not the first delivery itself.

 

[Anant]

Emphasising is not enough. Find out the reason & fire the person(s) who is (are) responsible for the delay.

Most of the organisation, combined with hopeless optimism.

 

[desigandu]

Most of the organisation, combined with hopeless optimism.

We know the problem, but the question is what is the solution in the short term??? Or are there none!

 

[Akshat]

We know the problem, but the question is what is the solution in the short term??? Or are there none!

Sell HAL off.

 

[GMR]

Does HAL give a hoot about any "urging" or "push" from MOD??? HAL knows MOD has no other option than dancing to it's tune and HAL will always have a list ready to blame others. If govt is serious, it must appoint an IAF Official as Project in charge, with a whip in hand to use in case of any deviation.

 

[Pink Panther]

MoD can push for all their heart's desire, and they can keep conducting these review meetings till the cows come home. The fact remains that HAL will fall well below that number.

Leave 18. If HAL delivers 9 Tejas Mk 1As by March, I'll be surprised. And to think we pin the hopes of maintaining the IAF's strength on this organisation...

MOD should ask IAF to shut their mouth and they shouldn’t be allowed to deal with HAL directly, all the delivery problems will be solved.

 

[Pink Panther]

9 is wishful thinking. 6 is the number I will go with.

just like Dassault that makes 6/year.

 

[Pink Panther]

Sell HAL off.

to Dassault? and buy Rafale instead?

 

[desigandu]

Sell HAL off.

not sure who will buy…yes getting them less of a PSU and more focused on revenue and profit will be a good start…culture must be changed based on the new realities…I have over 30 years of global experience transforming large companies - and it takes time, lots of money and above all leadership committed to the change…

 

[Anant]

just like Dassault that makes 6/year.

The difference being that Dassault can, will, and is increasing manufacturing capabilities, while HAL is only increasing their samosa consumption capabilities.

 

[Anant]

We know the problem, but the question is what is the solution in the short term??? Or are there none!

There is no short-term solution. We are well past that. The medium-term solution is to bite the bullet and move ahead with MRFA. Long-term solution is to restructure, revamp, or privatized HAL.

 

[Pink Panther]

The difference being that Dassault can, will, and is increasing manufacturing capabilities, while HAL is only increasing their samosa consumption capabilities.

HAL also increased the capacity, but the difference is Dassault only does Rafale, where as HAL does many things like, Jaguar upgrade, MIG-29 UPG upgrade, and in the near future Making 12 new Supet SU-30’s and upgrading 200 SU-30’s and at the same time making brand new Dorniers and Tejas all at the same time including maintaining existing fighter jet fleet of both IAF and the IN all within their existing facilities that only have 24 bays, they also use some bays for their research work like Sitara trainers and others, so them making 5 Tejas/ year is really admirable and should be appreciated rather than being ridiculed, With ever demanding specs changes from IAF HAL making 6 Tejas/ year is really great compared to what Dassault does.,if MOD allocates more fund and increase the. capacity even more, HAL will produce more Tejas.

 

[Akshat]

to Dassault? and buy Rafale instead?

They won’t even buy HAL.

 

[Akshat]

not sure who will buy…yes getting them less of a PSU and more focused on revenue and profit will be a good start…culture must be changed based on the new realities…I have over 30 years of global experience transforming large companies - and it takes time, lots of money and above all leadership committed to the change…

Won’t work at all buddy. HAL is already profitable. But that’s not because of efficiency but the simple fact that government pays them inflated prices. And that’s true for most DPSUs. So a profit based outlook simply won’t matter. They will simply raise the price and government won’t have any other option but to pay that. So you need to sell it off and let a competitive industry develop.