SOURCE: AFI
India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A is on track to become the most-produced light-class fighter jet globally within the next five years, potentially overtaking the production numbers of Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder and South Korea’s KAI T-50 Golden Eagle. With a current tally of over 60 units and significant orders in the pipeline, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is ramping up production to meet the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) needs and bolster India’s defense export ambitions, marking a significant milestone in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
As of June 2025, HAL has produced over 60 Tejas Mk1 aircraft, comprising 5 Prototype Vehicles (PVs), 8 Limited Series Production (LSP) units, 36 Mk1 single-seat fighters, and 8 twin-seat trainers. This foundation has been bolstered by a 2021 order for 73 Tejas Mk1A fighters and 10 trainers, valued at ?48,000 crore, and a recent approval in April 2024 for an additional 97 Mk1A jets worth ?65,000 crore. With these orders, the IAF’s planned inventory of Tejas Mk1A will reach 180 units by 2031-32, with potential for further orders.
HAL has significantly enhanced its production capacity to meet this demand. The company operates two production lines in Bengaluru, with a third line in Nashik set to increase output to 24 jets annually by 2025-26, and potentially 30 jets per year by 2028. The resolution of supply chain issues for the General Electric F404-IN20 engines, with deliveries resuming in March 2025, has further accelerated production. HAL expects to deliver 12 Mk1A jets by the end of the 2025-26 financial year and maintain a steady output thereafter.
The Tejas Mk1A’s production trajectory positions it to surpass the JF-17 Thunder and KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, the current leaders in the light-class fighter category. As of June 2025, the JF-17, co-developed by Pakistan and China, has a production tally of approximately 177 units for the Pakistan Air Force, with an additional 36 units ordered by Azerbaijan in 2024, bringing the total to 213. The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, including its FA-50 light attack variant, has seen around 220 units produced, with exports to countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
Assuming HAL achieves its target of delivering 24 Tejas Mk1A jets annually from 2025-26, and potentially 30 jets per year by 2028, the IAF’s orders alone (180 units) will be completed by 2031-32. By 2030, HAL could produce an additional 120-150 Mk1A units, bringing the total to approximately 180-210 units. This figure excludes potential export orders, which could further boost production. Countries like the Philippines, Botswana, and Egypt have shown interest in the Tejas Mk1A, though export deals have faced challenges due to competition and geopolitical factors, such as British sanctions affecting components like the Martin-Baker ejection seat.
In contrast, JF-17 production is expected to grow modestly, with Azerbaijan’s order and potential interest from other nations like Nigeria (which received three JF-17s in 2021). However, the JF-17’s export market faces constraints due to its reliance on Chinese technology and competition from more established platforms. The KAI T-50/FA-50, while successful in markets like Malaysia (18 units ordered in 2023), is unlikely to see significant production increases, as its primary export markets are nearing saturation. By 2030, the Tejas Mk1A’s production is projected to surpass the JF-17’s 213 units and the T-50’s 220 units, potentially reaching 200-250 units if export orders materialize.
The Tejas Mk1A, a 4.5-generation single-engine multirole fighter, offers several advantages that position it as a competitive alternative to the JF-17 and T-50. Powered by the GE F404-IN20 engine, it features advanced avionics, including an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, a self-protection jammer, and compatibility with indigenous weapons like the Astra and BrahMos-NG missiles. Its compact design and cost-effectiveness (unit cost of approximately ?303 crore or $40 million) make it ideal for India’s diverse operational environments, from high-altitude Ladakh to desert regions in Rajasthan.
The Tejas Mk1A’s indigenous content, expected to exceed 70% by 2029, aligns with India’s self-reliance goals, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers compared to the JF-17, which relies heavily on Chinese components. The KAI T-50, while a proven platform, is primarily a trainer with light attack capabilities, limiting its versatility compared to the Tejas Mk1A’s multirole configuration. The IAF’s confidence in the Tejas is evident in its deployment in exercises like Tarang Shakti 2024 and its role in replacing aging MiG-21, Jaguar, and Mirage 2000 fleets.
Despite its promising trajectory, the Tejas program has faced challenges, including delays in engine deliveries and certification processes. The initial delivery of the 83 Mk1A jets, originally slated for February 2024, was pushed to July 2024 due to GE’s supply chain issues, though these have now been resolved. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has expressed concerns over HAL’s slow production rate, noting that only 40 Mk1 aircraft were delivered in a decade, averaging four per year. HAL’s efforts to involve private players like Tata Advanced Systems and Larsen & Toubro, along with new production lines, aim to address these bottlenecks.
Export prospects remain a hurdle, as the Tejas has lost bids to competitors like the KAI FA-50 (Malaysia) and F-16 (Argentina) due to its unproven status and reliance on British components, which face sanctions in certain markets. Nonetheless, HAL’s participation in global air shows and exercises, such as Desert Flag VIII in 2023 and Tarang Shakti 2024, has increased the Tejas’s visibility, with potential interest from Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.