Tejas Mk-1A Delay: The Indian Air Force is still waiting for the Tejas Mk-1A to arrive in full strength, and that is a big problem because the fighter squadron count is already low. The force is short of its authorised strength, so every delay in this programme hurts readiness. A major review meeting between HAL and the IAF was meant to happen between late April and early May, but it has now been pushed back again. That has added one more roadblock to the jet’s induction. Reports also say the programme has been slowed by GE engine supply trouble and other supply-chain problems.
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What The Review Was Meant To Check
The delayed meeting was supposed to look at the most important things the aircraft must clear before it can join service. These include the AESA radar being properly tied in with the electronic warfare suite, missile firing trials being finished, and the full weapons package being fully checked and approved. The review was also expected to fix the latest delivery schedule. According to the report, the meeting itself depended on HAL first briefing the IAF about the technical issues that were still open, and that update had not happened yet.
The New Indian Express also said, “The review was expected to be decisive, with HAL expected to present progress on the mandatory operational requirements. With the meeting itself now delayed, further slippages are likely, including in the plan to induct the first fighter within the next two months,” the source added.
HAL’s Claim and the Air Force’s Wait
HAL has said before that it has some jets ready, but the IAF still wants all the required certification work completed before taking them. In February, HAL told Parliament that it had five aircraft ready, and the company’s CMD was quoted as saying, “we have five aircraft ready”. He also said, “We have successfully completed the integration of the radar and DWU. We have also successfully completed the ASRAAM testing for air-to-air missiles and the ASTRA beyond visual range missile,”
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Even with that claim, the situation is not fully settled. The report says not every contracted capability in those aircraft has yet received the needed certification. On top of that, the IAF is under pressure because it currently has 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42.5. That makes the Tejas Mk-1A more than just another jet. It is a much-needed piece in the force’s missing jigsaw.
Why the Delay?
The wider problem is the engine supply. HAL and GE have both been dealing with slow deliveries of the F404 engines that power the Tejas Mk-1A. HAL has also said it is building up production capacity, but the aircraft still cannot move into normal squadron service until the remaining technical and certification hurdles are cleared.
