By A Correspondent

New Delhi: India’s Defence Ministry is considering penalising state-run aircraft-maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the delays in delivery of the first set of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A variants. HAL has promised to deliver 24 operationally ready Tejas jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of 2026.

The details came out of a review meeting on HAL and the LCA manufacturing progress, chaired by the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Monday.  HAL informed the meeting that it had overcome the supply chain disruptions for the American GE F414 aeroengines and would now be able to deliver the first set of the LCA Mk1A aircraft this year to the IAF.

HAL’s top officials informed the review committee that six Tejas Mk1A aircraft were now ready for the IAF to carry out pre-delivery inspections. The remaining set of 18 aircraft, targeted for delivery in 2026, too, would be ready soon as the year progresses.

The 24 aircraft that HAL assures delivery this year would have to go through a strict Air Staff Qualitative Requirements (ASQRs) before the IAF accepts them and inducts them into its fighter squadrons. After HAL overshot the delivery deadlines, originally fixed for February 2024, the IAF has been demanding that the Tejas Mk1A strictly meet the ASQRs, some of which are key operational requirements for the fighter aircraft to perform at its optimal levels.

MoD Mulls Penalties on HAL for Tejas Delays

The defence ministry is now considering imposing financial penalties on HAL for the Tejas delivery delays, even if the first six aircraft are inducted into the IAF squadrons in the next few months. The quantum of the penalties was not immediately known.

The IAF has cumulatively ordered 180 Tejas-Mk1A jets from HAL in two separate contracts. The first deal for 83 aircraft, including 10 trainer variants, worth INR 46,898 crore, was signed in February 2021. A follow-on contract for 97 aircraft worth INR 62,379 crore was signed in September 2025. This 180-aircraft Tejas-Mk1A fleet would enable the IAF to raise 10 fighter squadrons. The IAF has already inducted Tejas Mk1 aircraft in two squadrons, both based in Sulur in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore.

HAL can manufacture 24 Tejas aircraft a year. The initial manufacturing capacity for eight Tejas aircraft at its Bengaluru facility was ramped up with a second production line half a decade ago. A third production line at Nasik is being readied to make eight Tejas aircraft, increasing HAL’s Tejas manufacturing capacity to 24 aircraft annually. At this production rate, HAL would complete delivery of all 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft in seven years, by 2033.

The 180-jet Tejas fleet will help the IAF to shore up its dwindling fighter squadron numbers, currently below 30 against the sanctioned 42.5 squadrons. The IAF squadron strength went down after the retirement of the Soviet-era MiG-21s two years ago. Tejas is a 4.5-generation fighter aircraft, designed for air-to-air and ground attacks, maritime strike, and close air support missions. Tejas would be IAF’s primary combat aircraft for defending the Indian peninsular skies.

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