Two Tejas Mk1A Jets Expected by March : HAL Officials

The delivery of the much-anticipated Tejas Mk1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) has encountered a slight delay, according to officials. Originally slated for March 2024, the first two jets are now expected by March-end, with few more following by year-end. The final delivery under the Rs 46,898 crore contract is now pushed to February 2028.

While officials acknowledge the delay, they downplay its significance. They cite the testing of the improved digital fly-by-wire flight control computer (DFCC) onboard older LCA-Tejas as a primary reason for the setback. Integrating this crucial component into the Mk1A variant seems to have taken longer than anticipated, impacting the planned taxi trials.

The original contract stipulated the delivery of 83 Tejas Mk1A jets to the IAF between February 2024 and February 2028. While the initial promise of delivering two jets by February 2024 couldn’t be met, officials remain confident about delivering them by March-end. Further deliveries are expected throughout the year, with the entire squadron operational by 2028.

The Tejas Mk1A is an upgraded version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, boasting improved capabilities like enhanced avionics, longer range, and better weapon carrying capacity. It’s crucial for the IAF to modernize its aging fighter fleet and achieve self-reliance in its defense needs.

Despite the delay, the Tejas Mk1A program remains crucial for India’s airpower ambitions. Addressing the DFCC testing hurdles and streamlining production processes are key to ensure timely delivery and bolster the IAF’s capabilities. Continued monitoring of the project’s progress is essential to assess its impact on India’s strategic goals.

 

[venkat]

Hindustan Always Late - we never expect anything but excuses

 

[nakul1307]

Few deliveries as expected. They can't even touch 12, let alone 16 or more. Poor.

 

[Tls Mani]

Even domestic orders delayed how can they deliver for export with strict penalties which will make investments unviable

 

[Anant]

Let's see. Even if HAL can manage two jets by March end as opposed to a couple more jets by that time (as per the original schedule), it is still an improvement for them.

I am not very optimistic, but one can hope they are finally (very gradually) getting better.

 

[NSR]

If HAL gets 2 Tejas IAs by end of March 2024, then all of us here will forgive you for all the slippages of past milestones.
But HAL must deliver on time from now onwards.

 

[Ramsses CDXX]

Where would see such sights: Tejas Mk.1A under production at HAL with its DFCC in testing with ADE.

Acche din aa gaye 😼😺

 

[abhinav srivastava]

I will be surprised in they met even the revised time line. There should be a penalty clause if deliveries are delayed by an year.

 

[Anil Kumar]

HAL vale phir ummeed se hai

 

[Amit Ray]

Delay, delay and delay, HALmark of HAL.

 

[Akshat]

Few deliveries as expected. They can't even touch 12, let alone 16 or more. Poor.

They can’t even touch these 2. The trainers which these ‘sources’ were expecting to deliver in Jan 2023 haven’t been delivered even till now.

 

[Akshat]

I will be surprised in they met even the revised time line. There should be a penalty clause if deliveries are delayed by an year.

There was one in the deal. But what good will it do? It will just transfer money from one GoI account to other. And it will crash the share price, leading to massive losses.

 

[Akshat]

Let's see. Even if HAL can manage two jets by March end as opposed to a couple more jets by that time (as per the original schedule), it is still an improvement for them.

I am not very optimistic, but one can hope they are finally (very gradually) getting better.

Remember Einstein’s saying? Doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results is called…

 

[Aayush Dhaundiyal]

Question is if the HAL is planning the same production line for tejas ii or new one. Unfortunately, both circumstances seems barely in their control.

 

[Anant]

Remember Einstein’s saying? Doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results is called…

Oh, I remember it. Still, I am something of an optimist at times. Still, the realist in me says HAL will not disappoint in disappointing us.

 

[Pramkumar]

Now its time for MOD and HAL to work on the MK1B.

 

[Pramkumar]

Delay, delay and delay, HALmark of HAL.

thanks to uncle sam for not delivering the engine and delay in Kaveri