"HAL to Deliver First Tejas Mk-1A Fighter Jet to IAF by July 2024"
- BOOBASHKUMAR S
- Jul 3, 2024
- 2 min read
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive its first Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by the end of July 2024.[1][3][4] This marks a significant milestone in the IAF's modernization efforts.
The Tejas Mk-1A is an advanced version of the Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) already integrated into the IAF. According to the contract signed in February 2021, HAL is expected to deliver 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets worth ₹48,000 crore to the IAF.[1][2] The initial plan was to deliver the first three Mk-1A aircraft in February 2024, followed by 16 aircraft per year for the next five years.[2]
However, the deliveries have faced some delays due to supply chain issues, including delays in the delivery of engines from General Electric (GE).[2] As a result, the first Tejas Mk-1A aircraft is now expected to be handed over to the IAF by the end of July 2024.[2][3][4]
Despite the delays, HAL is confident that the production and delivery process will be expedited once the initial aircraft is delivered. The company plans to scale up the production rate to 18 aircraft per year and eventually to 24 aircraft per year, with the help of a new production line set up in Nashik.[1][2]
The Tejas Mk-1A is a more capable version of the Tejas LCA, featuring advanced avionics, sensors, and weapons integration. The induction of these aircraft is crucial for the IAF to maintain its combat readiness and replace the aging MiG-21 fighter jets.[2]
In addition to the 83 Mk-1A jets, the Indian government has also given preliminary approval for the procurement of 97 more Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, which would eventually bring the total number of Tejas jets (Mk-1 and Mk-1A) in the IAF's fleet to 400.[2]
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