General Electric (GE) has delivered the first of the 99 contracted engines, ending a delay of about two years, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is expected to ramp up production of the much-delayed Tejas Mark-1A fighters.
This milestone will help address critical delays that have been holding up the production of India’s indigenous fighter jet.
GE Delivers First Engine After Two-Year Delay
GE Aerospace recently delivered the first F-404 turbofan engine to HAL, completing a complex task of restarting the F-404 production line, which had been dormant for five years.
HAL had contracted 99 engines for Tejas Mark-1A under a Rs 5,375 crore deal signed in August 2021.
GE had originally committed to delivering the first engine by March 2023, to supply 12 engines in the first year and 20 engines annually thereafter.
Despite the engine delivery, HAL faces several hurdles in meeting production targets. The company still needs to resolve issues related to the test-firing of the Astra air-to-air missile from the single-engine Tejas Mark-1A, as well as the integration of critical systems into the aircraft.
These unresolved challenges have contributed to delays in the jet’s production.
Tejas Production Is IAF’s Urgent Need
The delay in Tejas production is a concern for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has been facing shortages in fighter jets.
IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, has repeatedly emphasized that the force is ‘very badly off in numbers’ and needs at least 40 fighters annually to stay combat-ready.
The IAF currently operates only 30 fighter squadrons, falling far short of the authorized 42.5 squadrons needed to address threats from both China and Pakistan.
Tejas Mark-1A And Future Production Plans
As of now, the IAF has received 38 out of the first 40 Tejas Mark-1 jets ordered under contracts signed in 2006 and 2010.
However, the first of the 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets ordered under a Rs 46,898 crore deal in February 2021 is still to be delivered.
HAL is working to scale up production to meet this demand, to produce 20 jets annually and later increase this number to 24 jets per year.
HAL expects the third production line, now operational in Nashik, to support these targets alongside the two existing lines in Bengaluru.
Co-production Of GE-F414 Engines In India Under Negotiation
HAL and GE are conducting final techno-commercial negotiations to co-produce the more powerful GE F-414 engines in India to support the Tejas Mark-2 variant.
The deal, valued at around $1.5 billion, will involve transferring 80% of the technology to India, bolstering the country’s indigenous defense capabilities.
The IAF sees the Tejas jets, along with 108 Tejas Mark-2 variants, as essential for enhancing its fleet.
The Tejas Mark-2 variants, equipped with GE F-414 engines, will offer better thrust and capabilities.
With the IAF’s current fleet of fighter jets falling short of the required squadrons, the delivery of these jets is crucial for strengthening the country’s defense forces.
Also Read: India’s Defence Production Reaches ₹1.27 Lakh Crore; 65% Equipment Now Made Domestically
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