By N. C. Bipindra

New Delhi: India’s air force wants a total ‘review’ of the new variant of the Tejas’ Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) before it can accept delivery of the first batch of five ‘ready’ LCA Mk1A jets from state-run aircraft maker.

This has come as a shocker for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), as it finds itself at the receiving end of a double whammy, after it was ousted from an INR 15,000 crore project to develop futuristics Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) prototypes.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) indicated on February 4, 2026, that it would review the Tejas Mk1A jets in May before accepting delivery of the aircraft.

The IAF has committed INR 110,000 crore to buy a total of 180 LCA Mk1A jets from HAL under two contracts signed for 83 in 2021 and 97 more in 2025.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Dr D. K. Sunil had told the media at the recently concluded Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad that it was ready to deliver five Tejas Mk1A aircraft, overcoming its aeroengine supply chain troubles in 2025.

The IAF had reviewed the LCA Mk1A jets production and delivery schedules, already delayed by a year now, in December 2025, Defence Minister officials, with knowledge of the matter, said.

In its response to the reports on the IAF review of the Tejas project, a HAL spokesperson confirmed that the company was “fully ready” to deliver the first five Tejas Mk1A to the air force, incorporating major contracted capabilities in accordance with the agreed specifications.

Clarifying the company’s position, the HAL spoksperson, in a statement on February 5, 2026, said an additional nine aircraft have already been built and flown. “Upon receipt of engines from GE (American aeroengine maker), these aircraft will be made ready for delivery,” it said.

“All design and development issues identified are being addressed in an expedited manner. HAL is in active discussions with the Indian Air Force to deliver the aircraft at the earliest,” it said.

Noting that HAL had “received five engines from GE (American aeroengine maker) as on date,” the company said, “the supply position from GE is positive, and the future delivery outlook aligns with HAL’s delivery plans.” It assured all the stakeholders that it would “meet the guidance projected” for the current fiscal.

HAL is a company listed on the Indian bourses and media reports such as the ouster from the AMCA project and IAF’s reluctance to accept delivery of the Tejas Mk1A jets would impact its share prices and export potential for the India-made aircraft.

The earlier deadline of Tejas Mk1A deliveries were fixed for early 2025, and the IAF had insisted repeatedly that the delivered aircraft must be in fully operational configuration.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh was heard in a candid camera moment during the February 2025 Aero India air show pulling up the HAL officials for not keeping their promises on the Tejas Mk1A deliveries and configuration.

He has repeatedly critised HAL for the pending deliveries from the initial order for 40 Tejas Mk1 aircraft, of which 20 were in Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and the other 20 in the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configurations, respectively,

HAL had carried out the flight test of the first batch of Tejas Mk1A on October 17, 2025, at its Nasik plant, where it set up the third production line for the Tejas aircraft last year. HAL also operates two original assembly lines for the Tejas jets in Bengaluru.

HAL converted the ‘MiG’ Complex at its Nasik plant into a Tejas production facility after it completed the commitment to license produce the Russian-origin MiG and Sukhoi combat jets for the IAF.

It is also learned that HAL currently has 15 Tejas Mk1A aircraft in advanced stages of production and is awaiting GE F404 aeroengines deliveries so these could be “fully operational” for delivery to the IAF.

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