SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At the Aero India 2025 exhibition, held from February 10-14 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore, officials from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) expressed optimism about securing a contract for an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets from the Indian Air Force (IAF). Speaking to idrw.org, a HAL official revealed that the company has already initiated discussions with its supply chain vendors to fast-track the procurement of materials and equipment, ensuring a seamless ramp-up in production once the contract is finalized. With the deal progressing well and expected to be signed within the next few months, HAL is gearing up to meet the IAF’s growing demand for indigenous fighter aircraft while addressing production bottlenecks and enhancing its manufacturing capacity.
The IAF has already placed an order for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft in February 2021, valued at over ?48,000 crore, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2024. The anticipated order for an additional 97 aircraft, estimated to be worth over ?67,000 crores, would bring the total Tejas Mk1A fleet to 180, significantly strengthening the IAF’s operational capacity and supporting India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The HAL official at Aero India 2025 confirmed that negotiations for the additional 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft are advancing smoothly. “The deal is progressing well, and we expect the contract to be signed in the next few months,” the official told idrw.org. This optimism stems from ongoing discussions between HAL, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and the IAF, as well as the government’s commitment to bolstering indigenous defense production under the “Make in India” initiative.
To ensure timely delivery of the additional 97 aircraft, HAL has proactively engaged its supply chain vendors. The official noted, “We have already commenced talks with our supply chain partners to fast-track the procurement of materials and equipment. This will help us avoid delays once the contract is formalized.” This preemptive approach is critical, given past challenges with supply chain bottlenecks and delays in the Tejas program.
One of the key factors influencing HAL’s production timeline is the availability of engines. The Tejas Mk1A relies on the GE F404 engine, and past delays in engine deliveries have hampered HAL’s ability to meet delivery schedules. However, the HAL official expressed confidence that engine supplies will stabilize by 2027, enabling the company to achieve its target production rate of 30 aircraft per year. “GE has committed to improving delivery schedules, and we are working closely with them to ensure a steady supply,” the official stated.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.