SOURCE: AFI
In a candid admission, D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has confirmed delays in the delivery of the Tejas Mk1A, India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), citing challenges with engines, software, radar, and missile integration.
Speaking to The Hindu on July 5, 2025, Sunil highlighted that while supply chain issues with the General Electric (GE) F404 engines were the most significant factor, iterative problems with software, delays in radar development, and integration issues with missiles have also contributed to the setbacks.
The Tejas Mk1A, an advanced variant of the HAL-developed LCA, is designed to enhance the IAF’s combat capabilities with improved avionics, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems, and compatibility with modern weaponry like the Astra Mk-1 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). The IAF has ordered 83 Mk1A aircraft—40 in an initial contract and 83 in a follow-on order valued at over 1.2 lakh crore—to replace aging MiG-21s, MiG-23s, and MiG-27s. The aircraft is intended to form the backbone of the IAF’s light fighter fleet, complementing heavier platforms like the Su-30 MKI and Rafale.
However, delays in the Mk1A program have raised concerns, as the IAF’s squadron strength remains at 31 against a sanctioned requirement of 42. The first Mk1A was initially slated for delivery in March 2024, but HAL has struggled to meet timelines, with only a handful of aircraft delivered by July 2025. Sunil’s acknowledgment of multiple technical challenges provides insight into the complexities of developing an indigenous fighter jet in a competitive regional environment.
The engine issue is particularly critical as India seeks to transition to the more powerful GE F414 engine for the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). A co-production agreement with GE Aerospace for the F414, finalized in 2023, aims to achieve 80% technology transfer (ToT) and local manufacturing by HAL. However, the F414 program is still in its early stages, and the Mk1A remains dependent on the F404, underscoring the urgency of resolving supply chain constraints.
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