NEW DELHI: State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has said that five Tejas Mk1A fighters fitted with GE F404 engines are ready for delivery, while an additional nine aircraft are awaiting engine supplies from the United States.
The defence PSU added that “major” contracted capabilities have been incorporated in the five fighters, even as questions persist over pending certifications and delivery timelines that are yet to be formally communicated.
In a statement issued on Thursday, HAL said, “HAL confirms that five aircraft are fully ready for delivery, incorporating major contracted capabilities in accordance with the agreed specifications. An additional nine aircraft have already been built and flown. Upon receipt of engines from GE, these aircraft will be made ready for delivery.” HAL in its statement also added that the supply position from the US manufacturer remains positive.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said that while the five aircraft described as “ready” incorporate key contracted capabilities, not all contracted capabilities have yet received certification, with certain clearances still pending.
The New Indian Express was the first to report that deliveries of the Mk1A were likely to miss their March delivery deadline due to pending certifications and operational clearances. In addition to delays in the supply of US-made engines, sources said that integration and certification of the Israeli EL/M-2052 AESA radar have also had a bearing on programme timelines.
The updated delivery schedule for the Mk1A has not yet been formally communicated. Media reports have suggested that the Indian Air Force may undertake a review of the aircraft in May, following which fresh delivery dates could be worked out. The programme has already seen delivery timelines slip by more than two years.
On Wednesday, HAL said it was “not in a position to comment” on reports suggesting that it had effectively lost its monopoly in fighter aircraft manufacturing following its reported exclusion from the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) prototype development phase, adding that it would keep stakeholders informed once there was official communication.
HAL also underlined its strong order book and long-term growth outlook, even as sources said that capacity constraints and an already stretched production pipeline were among the factors that worked against the company in the AMCA prototype selection process.
The company said it is simultaneously advancing multiple strategic programmes, including the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH), Tejas LCA Mk2 and the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), all of which are expected to enter production only after 2032.
At present, HAL’s fighter aircraft production capacity stands at 24 aircraft per year. At this rate, fulfilling the 180 aircraft Tejas Mk1A order would take over seven years, with the Indian Air Force expected to receive the complete fleet no earlier than around 2033.