HAL set to begin LCA Mk-1A deliveries to Air Force by year-end.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is targeting the beginning of deliveries of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A to the Indian Air Force by the end of 2026, as the state-run aerospace company works to complete the remaining technical and integration activities on the fighter jet. HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K said the company is currently addressing a few issues related to the aircrafts radar, while final weapons-integration testing is also yet to be completed. He said these activities are expected to be wrapped up within about a month, after which the aircraft can move towards delivery to the Air Force.

HAL has already completed 27 Tejas Mk-1A airframes, while 10 F404 engines supplied by US-based GE Aerospace are currently available. The company is looking to deliver around 10 aircraft during the 2026-27 financial year. HAL has an annual production capacity of about 24 Mk-1A aircraft and has continued manufacturing airframes despite delays in engine availability.

The Tejas Mk-1A programme has faced delays in recent years, particularly because of problems in the supply of engines and the time required to complete technical and certification-related work. The availability of engines has been an important factor in determining the pace at which completed aircraft can be handed over to the IAF.

The Indian Air Force has ordered a total of 180 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft through two separate contracts with HAL. The first agreement, signed in 2021, covers 83 aircraft. In September 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed another contract worth more than ₹62,370 crore, excluding taxes, for 97 additional Mk-1A fighters. The second order consists of 68 single-seat aircraft and 29 twin-seat variants, with deliveries scheduled to begin from 2027-28 and continue over six years.

The aircraft being delivered under the newer contract are planned to feature a higher level of indigenous content, with the Ministry of Defence stating that more than 64 per cent of the aircrafts content will be sourced domestically. The newer batch is also expected to incorporate systems such as the indigenous UTTAM Active Electronically Scanned Array radar and the Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite.

The Tejas Mk-1A programme is an important part of efforts to strengthen the IAFs fighter fleet while expanding the role of domestically developed combat aircraft. HAL is also progressing with the next-generation LCA Mk-2, which is intended to offer greater capabilities than the Mk-1A. HALs immediate focus is on completing the remaining radar-related corrections and weapons integration work. The company is aiming to begin handing over Tejas Mk-1A fighters to the Indian Air Force by the end of 2026, subject to completion of the necessary testing and acceptance procedures.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.