Two Tejas light combat aircraft fly in formation over Jodhpur during Exercise Veer Guardian 26.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is targeting the start of Tejas Mk-1A deliveries to the Indian Air Force by the end of 2026, as the company works to complete the remaining radar and weapons-integration activities.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K said the company has 27 Tejas Mk-1A airframes ready and has received 10 GE Aerospace F404-IN20 engines. HAL is targeting around 10 aircraft deliveries during FY 2026-27, provided the remaining technical work and clearances are completed.
The Mk-1A programme has faced significant delays, with the first deliveries originally scheduled to begin in March 2024. No Mk-1A has yet been formally handed over to the IAF.
Final technical work remains
The 27 completed airframes do not mean that 27 aircraft are ready for immediate induction. HAL is still working on final AESA radar-related checks and missile/airframe compatibility trials.
HAL CMD Ravi K said missile integration has been completed, but some sorties are still required to check compatibility with the airframes and complete other aspects. Final radar checks are also underway before delivery.
Ravi K said the programme is around 90–95% complete, with the remaining work focused on the final stages of testing and integration.
HAL has built up an annual production capability of around 24 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft. The company has continued building airframes so that aircraft can be completed as engines become available.
Engine supply delays
A major factor behind the delay has been the slow supply of GE Aerospace’s F404-IN20 engines, which power the Tejas Mk-1A.
HAL’s engine supply schedule from GE fell behind, contributing to delays in completing and delivering the aircraft. HAL subsequently invoked liquidated damages against GE Aerospace over the delayed engine deliveries.
In FY 2025-26, GE supplied six engines, below the revised schedule. A technical issue was also reported with one engine supplied to HAL in June 2026, although it was subsequently cleared after corrective work.
GE later supplied additional F404-IN20 engines, including three more in August 2026, taking the total number received by HAL to 10 by September 2026. The improved supply is helping HAL move ahead with aircraft completion.
180 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft ordered
The IAF has placed orders for 180 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft through two contracts.
The first contract, signed in February 2021, covers 83 aircraft — 73 fighters and 10 twin-seat trainers. The second contract, signed in September 2025, covers 97 aircraft — 68 fighters and 29 twin-seat aircraft.
The two contracts together therefore cover 141 fighter variants and 39 twin-seat aircraft.
HAL’s immediate target is to deliver around 10 Mk-1A aircraft during FY 2026-27, while continuing production for the larger order.
Tejas Mk-2 programme moves forward
Meanwhile, the Tejas Mk-2 programme has also reached an important stage.
HAL has completed the structural assembly of the first Mk-2 prototype, with the front, centre and rear fuselage sections joined. The programme is now moving towards complete aircraft integration and ground testing.
HAL is targeting the first ground run in March 2027, followed by the maiden flight later in 2027.
The Mk-2 is a larger and more powerful fighter than the Mk-1A and will be powered by the GE F414 engine instead of the F404 used on the Mk-1A.
India and GE Aerospace are working towards an arrangement for local production of the F414 engine in India. The Mk-2, however, remains in the prototype and development stage. Its 2027 timeline refers to ground testing and the maiden flight, not operational induction into the IAF.
For now, HAL’s immediate focus remains on completing the remaining technical work on the Mk-1A and beginning deliveries to the IAF by the end of 2026.
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