Tejas Mk1A Debut Slightly Delayed, March '24 Delivery Still Expected

India's much-anticipated upgraded Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, a pivotal step in the country's self-reliance in defence technology, has experienced a slight delay in its maiden flight.

According to defence journalist Anantha Krishnan M., the initial internal deadline set by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for this month will likely not be reached.

Delayed Debut, But Still On Track​

While the Tejas Mk1A's first flight is now expected in mid-March, there is some positive news. Sources suggest that the inaugural flight could be witnessed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, potentially even remotely.

This delay follows HAL's earlier commitment to deliver the first two Tejas Mk1A aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by March 2024. In fact, HAL Chairman C.B. Ananthakrishnan had expressed optimism about potentially completing the delivery as early as February.

Reasons for the Delay​

HAL officials have acknowledged the delay while emphasizing its minor nature. The primary cause lies in the integration of a new and improved digital fly-by-wire flight control computer (DFCC) into the Tejas Mk1A.

Testing this vital system on existing LCA Tejas aircraft has taken more time than initially projected, which consequently affects subsequent taxi trial schedules.

HAL Confident in Meeting March-End Deadline​

Despite the initial setback, HAL remains confident in meeting the March 2024 deadline for the delivery of the first two Mk1A aircraft. The company expects to make further deliveries throughout the year, aiming to have the entire Tejas Mk1A squadron fully operational by 2028.

The Tejas Mk1A: A Significant Upgrade​

The Tejas Mk1A represents a major step forward for the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program. It boasts several enhancements over its predecessors, including:

• A more powerful active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar
• Improved electronic warfare capabilities
• Increased payload capacity
• Onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS)
• Maintainability improvements

These upgrades promise to significantly enhance the Tejas's combat capabilities, strengthening the Indian Air Force's fleet.

 

[Pink Panther]

That’s ok, delay of one month is not a big deal, as long as HAL doesn’t give some new reason for the delay in 2025 February.

 

[Amit Ray]

It's on expected lines. Let's wait for a while.

 

[Frank]

quoting from twitter

"HAL production achievements:-

FY 20-21 LCA produced Two
FY 21-22 Zero
FY22-23 Two
FY 23-24 ~Two

Four years only 6 LCA

Got orders for production line 2003, for 20 LCA IOC in 2006, for 20 LCA FOC in 2010

Cost of LCA IOC doubled, time taken 18 yrs"

 

[Sudha]

Knowing HAL's performance this isn't a news at all. Again HAL compromising Bharat's security.

 

[sanket]

That’s ok, delay of one month is not a big deal, as long as HAL doesn’t give some new reason for the delay in 2025 February.

its Not delay , March 2024 was Timeline for delivery , But HAL was expecting to deliver it in Feb 2024 . But Due to Integration of Improved Digital Fly By wire Flight Control computer into MK1A Variant .

 

[Sudha]

That’s ok, delay of one month is not a big deal, as long as HAL doesn’t give some new reason for the delay in 2025 February.

Knowing HAL, it will be on expected lines.

 

[Srinivas Nirmal Kumar Avula]

Not meeting timelines has become a comman issue for PSU's especially DPSU's.
The thing first they announce a certain date & then postpone it several times until people in India lost their hope & forget.

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Knowing HAL's performance this isn't a news at all. Again HAL compromising Bharat's security.

Again MOD compromising Nations security by not reorganising DPSUs , Again MOD & IAF compromised Nations security by not giving clearance to AMCA project and waited for 2.5 years in search of private vendor for SPV model.

 

[Joy Tilak]

The last line - "entire squadron projected to be operational by 2028"? WTF?

Pls tell me its a typo.

 

[NSR]

Extremely shoddy reporting and English language to speak succinctly.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Again MOD compromising Nations security by not reorganising DPSUs

Let me correct that for you:-
Again MOD compromising Nations security by not reorganisingprivatizing DPSUs

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Dont worry folks.

They need just one more month. I won't consider its a big delay or something.

Big things take time. We just have to wait one more month and I am sure, HAL will not disappoint us.

They are at it and by March-2024 will certainly deliver their next big........

.........

.....

Excuse!!!

Slow claps......

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

When we talk about DPSUs the news should be that HAL has said there wil be a delay of just "one month."

 

[GMR]

HAL is setting such examples everyday which can never be bet by any industry, how much inefficient it is.. Equal blame goes to MOD & IAF for bearing such nonsense. Wonder whether our MKII and AMCA project will ever see the day when being handled by such an organisation like HAL

 

[GMR]

They need just one more month. I won't consider its a big delay or something.

Ok.. very positive thinking 👍👍
Now add all the months of delay already happened in the project

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

HAL is setting such examples everyday which can never be bet by any industry, how much inefficient it is.. Equal blame goes to MOD & IAF for bearing such nonsense. Wonder whether our MKII and AMCA project will ever see the day when being handled by such an organisation like HAL

The problem is, that the MOD does not have a choice. HAL virtually has monopoly in aircraft fabrication and knows it is virtually untouchable in short term. Thats exactly why u dont encourage monopoly as it encourages inefficient and inept management of operations.

 

[Sandeep]

HAL and other officials always said that they will deliver the jets in February or March so this isn't a major long delay as people might think it is. HAL needs to first start delivering the Tejas trainer jet so that we can start training the pilots which will take a few years as well but they need to speed up the manufacturing process. We should try getting the private sector involved a lot more by asking them to manufacture the entire jet rather than just supplying the parts and components to HAL who just mostly assembles and certifies the jet as I'm sure they would be interested.

The government should just pay the private manufacturing company who could manufacture it much cheaper than HAL can but obviously we don't transfer any technology to them but instead we should just give them a license to build a large quantity. We can also give a license to more than 1 indigenous company because if we introduce more competition it reduces the price.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Got orders for production line 2003, for 20 LCA IOC in 2006, for 20 LCA FOC in 2010

Cost of LCA IOC doubled, time taken 18 yrs

The aircraft had a lot of problems at that time. There was a lack of transparency in these things at that time. Everyone used that say that everything is fine, aircraft is nice, but behind the scenes issues were still there. That is why orders were dealayed so much. Even IAF didnt publicly compain because they new that issues needed to be resolved.

Of course today things are different. 1month delay is OK. I trust HAL will keep to promised delivery quantity for this year. Otherwise, the Someone in defence ministry will bamboo HAL chairman because Indian public is very conscious about these things now. This was not the case 20 years ago

 

[Anant]

The government should just pay the private manufacturing company who could manufacture it much cheaper than HAL can but obviously we don't transfer any technology to them but instead we should just give them a license to build a large quantity. We can also give a license to more than 1 indigenous company because if we introduce more competition it reduces the price.

Tell me which private firms are lining up to manufacture these jets. Private firms work for profit, and as such need to see the potential and commitment for large orders and a decent margin before they will commit.