Key points
- Defence Ministry poised to sign a ~₹66,500–67,000 crore contract with HAL for 97 Tejas Mk‑1A jets, the largest Tejas order so far.
- Despite plans to begin deliveries last March at 16 aircraft per year, IAF has not yet received a single Mk‑1A, prompting public concern from the Air Chief.
- IAF’s internal review indicates the authorized 42 squadrons may be insufficient amid regional threats and evolving air combat needs.
- HAL says GE’s engine supply chain is improving; the third GE‑404 engine has arrived, with another due by end‑September to support Mk‑1A production.
- Earlier approval (Jan 2021) covered 73 Tejas Mk‑1A and 10 trainers for ₹45,696 crore, plus ₹1,202 crore for infrastructure.
- New order aims to accelerate fleet renewal and deepen self‑reliance while addressing squadron strength and capability gaps.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence is set to formally execute a contract with HAL for 97 Tejas Mark‑1A fighters, a landmark acquisition valued at nearly ₹67,000 crore according to multiple reports and official briefings. The deal builds on the January 2021 approval for 83 Tejas (73 Mk‑1A + 10 trainers), signaling sustained government backing for the indigenous LCA program and domestic aerospace supply chains.
Delivery timeline and current delays
Mk‑1A deliveries were originally expected to commence last March with a planned output of at least 16 aircraft annually, but none has been handed over to the IAF yet. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh publicly flagged persistent slippages earlier this year, underlining how timelines must stabilize for the IAF to meet operational commitments and phase out legacy platforms on schedule.
Why the urgency has grown
Defence planners increasingly assess that the sanctioned 42 squadrons will not suffice against combined threat scenarios across two fronts and expanding stand‑off and electronic warfare challenges. The 97‑jet order is intended to both arrest squadron depletion and create a predictable induction pipeline while complementary programs (MRFA, AMCA, upgraded Su‑30MKIs, and advanced weapons) mature.
Engines and production ramp-up
HAL reports tangible progress on the propulsion side, receiving the third GE‑404 engine for Mk‑1A with another due by end‑September, a cadence expected to unlock airframe roll‑outs and flight testing for customer deliveries. Engine flow remains the pacing factor for final assembly rates; improved delivery schedules are critical to achieving 16‑per‑year output and then scaling further as lines at Bengaluru and Nashik synchronize.
What Mk‑1A brings to the fleet
Tejas Mk‑1A is designed to deliver better availability and mission capability through upgraded avionics, AESA radar, electronic warfare improvements, modern weapons integration, and maintainability enhancements over the initial Tejas Mk‑1 blocks. The type fills a vital light‑fighter role for defensive counter‑air, point defense, maritime strike with precision munitions, and quick‑reaction alert, easing pressure on heavier multirole squadrons.
The 2021 baseline and today’s delta
In January 2021, the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared procurement of 73 Mk‑1A fighters and 10 trainers for ₹45,696 crore, alongside ₹1,202 crore for infrastructure. Today’s 97‑jet follow‑on order nearly doubles the production commitment to Tejas, locking in multi‑year workload for HAL and a vast tier‑2/3 vendor ecosystem, with anticipated domestic content and life‑cycle support gains.
Accountability and milestones to watch
- Contract signature and initial advance milestones that trigger vendor manufacturing schedules.
- Engine delivery rhythm from GE; sustained monthly flow is pivotal for steady aircraft roll‑outs.
- First customer‑standard Mk‑1A handover and ramp to the planned 16‑per‑year rate.
- Squadron conversions, weapons trials (including indigenous stores), and operational availability metrics.
- Vendor base expansion to de‑risk bottlenecks in avionics, structures, and EW subsystems.
The strategic takeaway
Proceeding with the 97‑jet contract despite current delays reflects a considered choice: grow indigenous capacity while tightening delivery discipline and supply chain resilience. If engines arrive on tempo and final assembly stabilizes, Mk‑1A inductions can meaningfully shore up squadron strength and provide a reliable, upgradable backbone for the IAF’s light‑fighter segment through the early 2030s.
