State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Thursday said that five Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft are fully ready for delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF), even as overall deliveries remain impacted by delays in engine supplies from US-based GE Aerospace.
In a statement, an HAL spokesperson said the five aircraft are complete and meet the contracted specifications. “HAL confirms that five aircraft are fully ready for delivery, incorporating major contracted capabilities in accordance with the agreed specifications,” the spokesperson said.
An additional nine Tejas Mk-1A aircraft have already been built and flown, HAL said, and will be prepared for delivery once the required engines are received. The company added that all identified design and development issues are being addressed in an expedited manner.
The delivery schedule of the Tejas Mk-1A fleet has been affected primarily due to GE Aerospace missing multiple deadlines for supplying the aero engines needed to power the jets. According to HAL, five engines have been received so far from GE, and the outlook for future supplies is now described as positive and aligned with the company’s delivery plans.
HAL said it is in active discussions with the IAF to ensure early delivery of the aircraft and expressed confidence in meeting its production guidance for the current financial year.
The Tejas is a single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft designed for air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike missions, and is capable of operating in high-threat combat environments.
In February 2021, the Defence Ministry signed a Rs 48,000 crore contract with HAL for procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF. The induction of these aircraft is considered important for the Air Force, whose fighter squadron strength has declined to around 30 against an authorised strength of 42 squadrons.
