India's Indigenous Fighter Takes Flight: Tejas Mk1A Production Soars

The Tejas fighter programme has been a long-standing effort to create India's first indigenous fighter jet. After years of development and testing, the programme has finally entered a decisive production phase, with the third production line at Nasik now operational. This significant milestone marks a major breakthrough for the programme, which has been plagued by delays and supply chain issues.

One of the most critical challenges facing the programme has been the supply of GE Aerospace F404-IN20 engines. For over two years, the lack of engines has delayed deliveries and hindered production. However, with seven engines now delivered, HAL is targeting a significant ramp-up in production. The company is working tirelessly to meet the Indian Air Force's demands for the Tejas Mk1A, with a distributed supply chain and a second pool of skilled labour giving the programme resilience against disruptions.

The Indian Air Force has ordered a total of 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft across two contracts, with the first batch of 83 ordered in 2021 and the second batch of 97 ordered in 2025. The IAF's squadron strength has fallen to around 31, making the timely delivery of these aircraft critical to national defence preparedness. The establishment of an in-country F404-IN20 engine depot by GE Aerospace will reduce dependence on overseas repair infrastructure and improve engine turnaround times, addressing not just the delivery challenge but the long-term sustainment of the fleet.

The Tejas Mk1A programme has made significant progress in recent months, with two aircraft specifically modified for system testing and successful completion of radar and Digital Weapon Unit integration, alongside ASRAAM advanced short-range air-to-air missile and Astra beyond-visual-range missile testing. The certification process is underway, with remaining pending work expected to take at least one additional year but not blocking initial deliveries.

The Indian Air Force's agreement to grant certain exemptions from contractual obligations will allow deliveries to begin early in the next fiscal year, while insisting that must-have capabilities including missile firing tests, radar-to-electronic-warfare integration and the weapons package will not be compromised. Firing trials have been completed, and the certification process is underway, with the Tejas Mk1A programme on the cusp of a major breakthrough.

The Tejas Mk1A programme is not just a milestone for the Indian Air Force, but also for the country's indigenous defence industry. The programme has demonstrated the capabilities of Indian industry to design, develop, and manufacture complex military equipment. The successful delivery of the Tejas Mk1A will not only boost the squadron strength of the IAF but also provide a fillip to the country's defence preparedness.

The journey of the Tejas Mk1A programme has been long and arduous, but the end result is worth it. The programme has overcome numerous challenges, including delays and supply chain issues, to reach this milestone. The successful delivery of the Tejas Mk1A will be a testament to the capabilities of Indian industry and the determination of the Indian Air Force to acquire the best possible equipment for its personnel.

As the Tejas Mk1A programme continues to soar, it is clear that the future of Indian defence is bright. The programme has demonstrated the capabilities of Indian industry to design, develop, and manufacture complex military equipment. The successful delivery of the Tejas Mk1A will not only boost the squadron strength of the IAF but also provide a fillip to the country's defence preparedness.

Key Takeaways

• The Tejas Mk1A programme has entered a decisive production phase, with the third production line at Nasik now operational.
• The supply of GE Aerospace F404-IN20 engines has been the programme's most stubborn bottleneck, but seven engines have now been delivered.
• The Indian Air Force has ordered a total of 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft across two contracts, with the first batch of 83 ordered in 2021 and the second batch of 97 ordered in 2025.
• The establishment of an in-country F404-IN20 engine depot by GE Aerospace will reduce dependence on overseas repair infrastructure and improve engine turnaround times.
• The Tejas Mk1A programme has made significant progress in recent months, with two aircraft specifically modified for system testing and successful completion of radar and Digital Weapon Unit integration, alongside ASRAAM advanced short-range air-to-air missile and Astra beyond-visual-range missile testing.