Tejas Mk-1A Delay: A Wake-Up Call for IAF to Induce Accountability on HAL

The much-anticipated delivery of the first Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet to the Indian Air Force (IAF) has hit a snag, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) appearing to miss its March 31st deadline. While the Mk-1A's maiden flight was a significant achievement, the delay in its handover raises concerns about HAL's ability to consistently deliver on its promises.

The Mk-1A is a substantial upgrade over its predecessor, featuring advanced systems, software, and weaponry. Its complexity necessitates a rigorous certification process, but this does not excuse the missed deadline. This setback not only carries potential financial penalties for HAL but also disrupts the IAF's modernization plans.

Unfortunately, this isn't a new phenomenon for HAL. The company has a track record of delayed deliveries across various jet projects. This chronic underperformance has far-reaching consequences, hindering the IAF's ability to maintain operational readiness and modernize its fleet.

The IAF's inclusion of a penalty clause in the Mk-1A deal was a prudent move. Enforcing this clause is crucial, as it sends a clear message that delays have consequences. Financial penalties can incentivize HAL to streamline its production processes and prioritize meeting future deadlines.

HAL's ambitions extend beyond the Mk-1A. The company is seeking a second tranche order for 97 more Mk-1As and is set to be a production partner for the Tejas Mk-II program, which envisions the manufacture of at least 200 units. Given these plans, it's imperative for HAL to address its persistent delays and establish a reputation for reliability.

The IAF needs a dependable supplier to ensure its combat readiness. By enforcing penalties and holding HAL accountable for its delays, the IAF can foster a culture of accountability within the defense industry. This will ultimately benefit India's national security by ensuring timely delivery of critical defense assets.

While open-source information does not provide specific details on the financial penalties HAL may face, it underscores the significance of this issue for India's defense capabilities. The delay in the Tejas Mk-1A delivery serves as a wake-up call for HAL and the entire defense industry, highlighting the need for improved efficiency and adherence to deadlines.

 

[Kira]

What penalties exactly as both entities in the contract are government bodies?

 

[beencensured]

IAF wants cake and wants to eat it too. Cannot blame Hal for every new thing that is put on Tejas as testing time will correspondingly increase. Rational People in world know this. Be happy first production version of Tejas mk1a is off flying.

 

[Dredd]

IAF wants cake and wants to eat it too. Cannot blame Hal for every new thing that is put on Tejas as testing time will correspondingly increase. Rational People in world know this. Be happy first production version of Tejas mk1a is off flying.

without delivering to IAF they can fly AMCA as well and claim that they have delivered .

 

[Pink Panther]

GOI should rather crack the whip on IAF for keep on changing the specs and asking for more changes and in particular IAF Cheif for using all kind of delaying tactics to delay all the local products in order to benefit from MRFA.

 

[Akshat]

IAF wants cake and wants to eat it too. Cannot blame Hal for every new thing that is put on Tejas as testing time will correspondingly increase. Rational People in world know this. Be happy first production version of Tejas mk1a is off flying.

IAF never asked for any changes. IAF was expecting planes this year while HAL had decided not to deliver the jets a year back.

And forget Mk1A. Where are the trainers? Tell me they changed specs of those as well? HAL management promised to deliver them last financial year, didn't they?

 

[GMR]

IAF wants cake and wants to eat it too. Cannot blame Hal for every new thing that is put on Tejas as testing time will correspondingly increase. Rational People in world know this. Be happy first production version of Tejas mk1a is off flying.

Don't believe in HAL'S justifications.. they r masters of justifications from decades of experience. IAF was not born yesterday to suggest changes when the plane is rolling off the jig and suffer the delay itself..

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Missing 3-4 months should not be a big concern, but see to it that they don't delay beyond 6 months.

 

[Raj]

Stop mrfa, amca, tedbf projects. Just join hands with Korea reg kf-21. Dont involve Hal in this project. Rafale going to be very costly, tot is almost impossible with dassault.

 

[Akshat]

GOI should rather crack the whip on IAF for keep on changing the specs and asking for more changes and in particular IAF Cheif for using all kind of delaying tactics to delay all the local products in order to benefit from MRFA.

And what about the trainers? They changed the specs for those as well?

 

[Akshat]

Missing 3-4 months should not be a big concern, but see to it that they don't delay beyond 6 months.

The delay will be much bigger. First 18 trainers have to be delivered, as confirmed by HAL last year. 13 are still pending. Then 3 mk1a till Feb 2024. And then 4 more should have been delivered by now. So at this point they have 20 planes pending. They can only make 16 at max. So delay is even more than 1 year.

 

[Akshat]

Stop mrfa, amca, tedbf projects. Just join hands with Korea reg kf-21. Dont involve Hal in this project. Rafale going to be very costly, tot is almost impossible with dassault.

France has one of the best records in ToT. And Rafale has proven to be the cheapest plane twice for India.

 

[For_A_Better_Bharat]

GOI should rather crack the whip on IAF for keep on changing the specs and asking for more changes and in particular IAF Cheif for using all kind of delaying tactics to delay all the local products in order to benefit from MRFA.

Both sides need to have their own sets of reforms

 

[For_A_Better_Bharat]

IAF never asked for any changes. IAF was expecting planes this year while HAL had decided not to deliver the jets a year back.

And forget Mk1A. Where are the trainers? Tell me they changed specs of those as well? HAL management promised to deliver them last financial year, didn't they?

So, what's your solution? Consult Dassault to help the situation at HAL?

 

[For_A_Better_Bharat]

France has one of the best records in ToT. And Rafale has proven to be the cheapest plane twice for India.

I believe, by your point, we should retire all our aircrafts and ask the French to give ToT of Rafale. We would then make the IAF a brand ambassador of Dassault. What do you say?

Saying of cheap, yes, the Rafale is dirt cheap. Even I can buy it and gift to the IAF.

 

[Puneet]

A serving Air Marshall should be made the MD of HAL. The employees should be directly accountable to the Air force. In short HAL should be under Marshall rule. Streamline the manufacturing process according to international standards. Hire talent from successful aeronautical firms and give them freedom to enforce efficient manufacturing processes.

 

[For_A_Better_Bharat]

Stop mrfa, amca, tedbf projects. Just join hands with Korea reg kf-21. Dont involve Hal in this project. Rafale going to be very costly, tot is almost impossible with dassault.

Didn't knew that S. Korea is owning its own set of lobbyist. Brilliant

 

[Pink Panther]

Both sides need to have their own sets of reforms

Yes the whole process is in a complete mess with corruption scandals.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

What penalties exactly as both entities in the contract are government bodies?

Nothing. Nada.
With militant unions controlling the law-and-order and a meaty vote-bank. Expect HAL to at most recieve a slap on the back of the wrist.

Like, Mr. Anantakrishnan will be asked to write on a piece of paper 20 times,
"I will deliver my next order on time."

Benifits of a communist order in a democratic system.

 

[Akshat]

I believe, by your point, we should retire all our aircrafts and ask the French to give ToT of Rafale. We would then make the IAF a brand ambassador of Dassault. What do you say?

Saying of cheap, yes, the Rafale is dirt cheap. Even I can buy it and gift to the IAF.

If that’s what it takes to make sure that our patriotic pilots are able to dominate the skies, I won’t hesitate to do even that. Anything for our soldiers. Much better than making them wait for jets just to matter far paycheck for HAL idiots.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Punitive damages must be extracted from the people responsible in a top to down fashion. Unions atleast in govt sectors must be bcoz unless there are repercussions we won't change .

 

[AK S]

IAF never asked for any changes. IAF was expecting planes this year while HAL had decided not to deliver the jets a year back.

And forget Mk1A. Where are the trainers? Tell me they changed specs of those as well? HAL management promised to deliver them last financial year, didn't they?

IAF did ask for changes, that too in the last half. It’s in public domain.

 

[AK S]

The delay will be much bigger. First 18 trainers have to be delivered, as confirmed by HAL last year. 13 are still pending. Then 3 mk1a till Feb 2024. And then 4 more should have been delivered by now. So at this point they have 20 planes pending. They can only make 16 at max. So delay is even more than 1 year.

Trainers are delayed. But not what you are saying. 10 trainers as part of 83 MK1A orders was scheduled after 3 years of the order

 

[AK S]

If that’s what it takes to make sure that our patriotic pilots are able to dominate the skies, I won’t hesitate to do even that. Anything for our soldiers. Much better than making them wait for jets just to matter far paycheck for HAL idiots.

What HAL has to do with MRFA. IAF is running this circus for two decades and keep making noise for buying foreign maal. They are very expensive and won’t happen so easily. We might see this circus for another decade.

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

This delay is not due to HAL solely… IAF asked them to integrate latest software/electronics at the last moment, which was meant to be added after delivery of some odd mk1a (just like the Uttam radar will come from 41th mk1a)…. This led to delay of 4 months as fine tuning and then flight trails are required to validate all these updates….
So IAF is not going to HAL this time..🤷🏻‍♂️