Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has confirmed it will supply at least six Tejas multirole combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force by March next year, easing concerns about delays in the program’s delivery schedule.
The 2021 contract covers the production of 83 Tejas Mk-1A fighters, with HAL targeting annual deliveries of 16 to 24 jets starting from June 2025.
The delays were largely due to engine supply issues from US-based GE Aerospace, which was unable to meet deadlines following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent workforce shortages.
Sunil confirmed the issue has since been resolved, with GE now committed to delivering 12 F404 engines by March 2026.
Beyond the 83 jets currently on order, India is also planning to procure an additional 97 Tejas aircraft from HAL through the 2030s to eventually replace the Indian Air Force’s aging MiG-21 Fishbed fleet.
