HAL Expected to Deliver Two Tejas Mark-1A Jets in September: Defence Secretary

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is likely to deliver two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets next month. Defence Secretary R.K. Singh stated that the government may sign a fresh contract with HAL for 97 additional Tejas jets. The Indian Air Force had expressed concerns about the delayed delivery of the jets due to GE Aerospace's missed deadlines for supplying aero engines. HAL is expected to have an order book for four to five years.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), India's state-owned aerospace and defence company, is poised to deliver two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets next month, according to Defence Secretary R.K. Singh. This development follows a significant resolution in the supply chain of the F404-IN20 engines, which had previously caused delays in production and export discussions [1].

The resolution of the engine supply issue has allowed HAL to meet domestic orders for the Indian Air Force (IAF) while simultaneously pursuing foreign sales. The Tejas Mk1A, a single-engine, 4.5-generation multi-role fighter, features advanced systems such as an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and a modern electronic warfare suite [1].

Defence Secretary Singh also indicated that the government may sign a fresh contract with HAL for an additional 97 Tejas jets. This comes after the IAF flagged concerns over delays in the delivery of the Tejas Mark-1A jets under a previous contract [2]. The delivery of these jets is facing delays primarily due to GE Aerospace missing several deadlines for the supply of its aero engines [2].

The Tejas Mk1A's cost-effectiveness, estimated between $40 to $50 million per aircraft, has attracted interest from several countries, including Argentina, Egypt, Nigeria, and the Philippines. This pricing is substantially lower than Western competitors such as the F-16 or Gripen, which can cost between $70 to $100 million [1].

With the engine supply issue resolved, HAL is now able to confidently re-engage with potential international customers. The aircraft is being marketed as an affordable, high-performance solution for nations seeking to replace ageing fleets of fighters like the MiG-21 or F-5 [1].

HAL officials have confirmed that by 2026, production capacity will be sufficient to fulfil export orders without impacting its primary commitment to the Indian Air Force [1].

References:
[1] https://defence.in/threads/with-ge-resolving-f404-engine-delays-hal-now-poised-to-market-its-cost-effective-tejas-mk1a-fighter-for-exports.15380/#post-73662
[2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hal-likely-to-deliver-2-tejas-mark-1a-jets-next-month-defence-secretary/article69995537.ece