Hindustan Aeronautics Restricted (HAL) is prone to miss its 2026 supply goal for the Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet programme, extremely positioned sources informed Zee Enterprise. The delay comes amid technical challenges, slipping manufacturing schedules, and rising issues inside the Indian Air Power (IAF) concerning the plane’s fight readiness and mission functionality.
In accordance with the sources, the indigenous content material within the Mk-1A variant has declined, primarily because of the lack of ability to combine the Uttam Lively Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar developed by DRDO’s LRDE. As a substitute, HAL has put in the Israeli Elta EL/M-2052 radar, leading to a diminished degree of indigenization in what was envisioned as a flagship ‘Make in India’ platform.
“We would like an plane that’s war-worthy, not simply fly-worthy. The Air Power wants a fighter able to surviving and successful in actual fight — not merely passing technical checklists,” a senior official immediately concerned within the Tejas Mk-1A programme informed Zee Enterprise.
The comment captures the IAF’s rising emphasis on battlefield efficiency and operational reliability over rushed manufacturing timelines.
Supply delays and manufacturing backlog
HAL has thus far delivered 38 out of 40 Tejas Mk-1 plane ordered underneath the primary two contracts, whereas two items stay undelivered.
The preliminary contract signed in March 2006 for 20 plane (IOC configuration) was scheduled for completion by 2011, whereas the second order in December 2010 for an additional 20 (FOC configuration) was anticipated by 2016. Each deadlines had been missed.
The most important contract, signed on February 3, 2021, covers 83 Tejas Mk-1A plane — 73 fighters and 10 trainers — price Rs 45,696 crore. The primary Mk-1A supply, initially focused for March 2024, has now been postponed to March 2026.
Nevertheless, sources recommend that even this revised schedule could face additional slippage.
IAF’s issues and functionality gaps
Officers inside the IAF have expressed issues that the Mk-1A nonetheless falls brief on key efficiency parameters, together with avionics integration, radar efficiency, and digital warfare capabilities.
The failure to operationalise the indigenous Uttam radar and the next reliance on the Israeli Elta system haven’t solely lowered the indigenous element of the plane but additionally raised questions concerning the maturity of India’s home radar growth efforts.
Engine provide delays and integration challenges have compounded the problem, slowing each testing and certification processes. “The fighter should not solely fly — it should combat. That’s the place the hole nonetheless exists,” stated a senior IAF official.
The image of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ underneath stress
The Tejas challenge, thought to be an emblem of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India missions, was meant to showcase India’s potential to design, develop, and manufacture an indigenous 4.5-generation fight plane.
Nevertheless, repeated schedule overruns, dependency on imported subsystems, and restricted manufacturing capability have undermined confidence within the programme’s execution. HAL’s manufacturing fee — and its potential to ship a combat-ready platform — can be vital in figuring out whether or not India can maintain its indigenous fighter ecosystem within the coming decade.
HAL didn’t reply to Zee Enterprise’s e mail looking for touch upon the supply delays and the radar substitution.
The HAL inventory traded 0.7 per cent decrease at Rs 4,690.9 apiece on BSE, having seesawed in a spread of Rs 4,684.4-4,747.7 in intraday commerce.
