Despite facing delays in engine deliveries from the US, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is reportedly on track to deliver the first two Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in October. Sources indicate that ten aircraft have already been built and tested, with one from Nashik ready for handover.

The delivery of these advanced fighter jets marks a significant milestone for India's indigenous fighter jet program and will boost the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force. The Tejas Mk1A is a state-of-the-art, single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft designed for air defense, maritime reconnaissance, and strike roles.

Delays in the supply of GE Aerospace's F404 engines have been a major hurdle. However, HAL has maintained production momentum, and two additional engines are expected from the US this month to support the production line. In the meantime, HAL is using Category-B GE F404-IN20 engines that were acquired under an earlier contract. These engines, either previously used or sourced from earlier agreements with General Electric (GE), will temporarily power the aircraft until the new General Electric F404 IIN20 engines arrive in November.

To address engine delays, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh discussed the engine delivery timeline during a visit to the United States. It is expected that deliveries of the new engines will resume by November 2024. HAL is scheduled to receive two GF404 engines per month from November onwards, in line with GE's revised commitments.

In addition to engine issues, HAL has acknowledged delays due to challenges with software, radar, and missile integration. DK Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, highlighted that while supply chain issues with the General Electric (GE) F404 engines were the most significant factor, iterative problems with software, delays in radar development, and integration issues with missiles have also contributed to the setbacks. HAL has completed a software optimization program for the Israeli active electronically scanned array (AESA) EL/M-2052 radar, which will be equipped on half of the Tejas Mk-1A jets from the contracted 83. The remaining Tejas jets will be equipped with the indigenous Uttam AESA radar.

Despite these challenges, HAL officials have emphasized that production remains on a "firm footing". HAL is also advancing work on upgrading 15 Su-30s for the Indian Air Force, further solidifying its position in the country's defense aerospace sector.

The government approved an additional batch of 97 Tejas fighters at a cost of around ₹67,000 crore. The Ministry of Defence sealed a ₹48,000 crore deal with HAL in February 2021 for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF.

The Defence Secretary, R. K. Singh, stated that the government is likely to ink a fresh contract with HAL for procuring an additional batch of 97 Tejas jets after the delivery of the first two aircraft. Singh has made it clear to HAL that the contract will be signed only after HAL delivers two Tejas featuring a complete package. Once finalized, the new contract will keep HAL's order book full for four to five years.

The Tejas Mk-1A will replace the IAF's MiG-21 fighters. The IAF is looking at inducting the warplanes as the number of its fighter squadrons has decreased to 31, against a sanctioned strength of 42.

The first squadron of Tejas Mark 1A is planned to be raised at Nal Air Force Station. No. 3 Squadron and No. 23 Squadron would be the first units to operate the Mk1A variant, replacing their in-service MiG 21s. As of July 2025, the IAF has two Tejas Mark 1 squadrons in operation. The first squadron, named No. 45 Squadron IAF (Flying Daggers), became operational in 2016 and is based at Sulur Air Force Station (AFS) in Tamil Nadu. It was the first squadron to have their MiG-21 Bisons replaced with the Tejas.