SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
Dr. D. K. Sunil, Chairman & Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is currently in Russia, according to a report by Sputnik India. The purpose of his visit is to explore engine manufacturing options for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet and future Indian aircraft.
This visit comes amidst reported delays in the delivery of F-404 engines from GE Aerospace, which currently power the Tejas Mk1A. While the delays may be a factor in exploring alternatives, sources close to idrw.org suggest a complete engine switch for the Tejas Mk1A program is unlikely at this stage. Integrating a new engine would require extensive flight testing and validation, potentially taking 3-4 years, and causing significant delays in the program.
Russia has long been a strategic partner in India’s defence sector, with successful collaborations on projects like the Su-30MKI. HAL’s engagement with Russia is likely in regards to the AL-31F engine co-development in terms of changes in engine parts with Indian ones.
The delays caused by GE Aerospace in the supply of F-404 engines have become a growing concern for HAL. The delivery setbacks, attributed to global supply chain disruptions, have already impacted the production timeline of the 83 Tejas Mk1A jets ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF). While GE Aerospace informed HAL of the delays in advance, the situation underscores the risks of relying heavily on imported components.
The Tejas Mk1A program, already on a tight schedule, aims to deliver the first aircraft to the IAF by 2025. Any engine change at this stage would jeopardize this timeline, further delaying the induction of the aircraft into service.
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