Latest news with #Mk-1A
India Today
4 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Tejas Mk-1A jet delivery deadline missed again: Here's how timeline unfolded
Amid growing concerns over delays in India's indigenous fighter jet programme, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Thursday urged the defence industry not to make promises it cannot deliver on time. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry's Annual Business Summit 2025, the Air Force chief underscored that "timeline is a big issue" — a sharp reminder of the Indian Air Force's mounting frustration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) over the delayed delivery of Tejas Mk-1A fighter three months ago, the IAF chief had publicly voiced concern about the slippage in deadlines. On paper, HAL was to deliver the first of 83 LCA Mk-1A jets by March 31, 2024, under a Rs 48,000 crore deal signed in February 2021. That did not happen.A STALLED TIMELINEThe Tejas Mk-1A — a more advanced variant of the LCA Mk-1 — has faced persistent delays, largely due to late engine deliveries from GE Aerospace and protracted certification processes. The first F404-IN20 engine for the Mk-1A aircraft was delivered only in March 2025, nearly two years behind schedule. The delivery, part of a USD 716 million contract for 99 engines, was hailed as a 'milestone' by GE Aerospace's Combat & Trainer Engines General Manager Shawn Warren, who said it would "ensure a strong future for India's military". But for HAL, it was only the beginning of a race to recover lost PUSH AFTER ENGINE BOTTLENECKSadvertisementFollowing the arrival of the long-awaited engines, HAL has ramped up its production capacity by restructuring its Bengaluru facility and adding a parallel assembly line. The goal now is to deliver at least 16 Tejas Mk-1A jets annually, aiming to complete the 83-aircraft order by Chairman Dr DK Sunil had earlier assured that with engine supplies stabilising, the production of Mk-1A jets would gather pace. "We have now promised that we will have all the Mk-1A structures ready. Once the engines are available, the Mk-1As will start rolling out," he said at Aero India ORDERS IN PIPELINEDespite the initial hiccups, the IAF is gearing up to place a follow-on order for 97 more Mk-1A aircraft, estimated at Rs 67,000 crore, which would bring the total fleet size to 180. In parallel, a mega Rs 1.3 lakh crore deal for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) for both the IAF and Indian Army is expected to be finalised within the next six has committed to delivering all 180 Tejas Mk-1A fighters by 2031, with a consolidated production capacity of 16 to 24 aircraft annually beginning delays come at a time when the IAF is retiring ageing aircraft like the MiG-21, MiG-27, and Jaguars, leaving its squadron strength critically depleted. Without the timely induction of Tejas Mk-1A, the gap between required and available fighters continues to widen — raising serious questions about India's aerial combat PANEL FORMEDadvertisementTo address these systemic delays, the Ministry of Defence had constituted a five-member Defence Empowerment Committee led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The committee recommended a slew of short, medium, and long-term solutions — including involving private players in the LCA production companies are now contributing critical components such as fuselages. Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Pvt Ltd recently handed over the first rear fuselage of the Mk-1A to HAL, with more scheduled to follow. Deliveries of the aircraft will now be streamlined across three separate HAL production lines.
Khaleej Times
13-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Indian warplane maker promises faster delivery after air chief's rebuke
India's state fighter jet maker Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) said it understood why India's air force was impatient over delays in delivering warplanes and would start rolling them out once General Electric supplied engines for them. In a pre-scheduled press conference on Tuesday that was held a day after the head of the air force rebuked company officials, HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil said when asked about the delays: "The concern of the air chief is understandable. Of course, his squadron strengths are going down." "We have now promised that we will have all the structures ready," Sunil said. "We are building this. Once the engines are available, this will start rolling out." The Indian Air Force's fleet of mainly ex-Soviet aircraft has been operating with only 31 fighter squadrons compared with a target of 42, frustrating its officials given the country's tense relations with neighbours China and Pakistan. The Air Force has ordered 83 Mk-1A light combat aircraft from HAL, an advanced variant of the operational Mk-1 "Tejas", with deliveries initially planned to start in February 2024 as part of a 364.68 billion rupees ($4.20 billion) contract. It plans to procure 97 more Mk-1As, which would take the total of the Tejas group of aircraft to 220. But deliveries have been repeatedly delayed, due in part to the slow arrival of engines from GE, which has been facing supply chain issues. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh was seen rebuking HAL officials at the Aero India air show in Bengaluru in a video filmed by defence news outlet National Defence that went viral on Tuesday. "At the moment I am just not confident of HAL," Singh said, seating inside the cockpit of a trainer aircraft as HAL officials crouched by his side on a platform. "I was promised that when I come here in February I will see 11 Mk1As ready, minus the engines," Singh said. "Not a single one is ready. Not impressed." India's defence production secretary, Sanjeev Kumar, said at the same air show that production lines had stabilised both at HAL and GE, and that the Indian company would have the capacity to hand over 16 to 24 aircraft in the fiscal year that starts in April. GE Aerospace referred to a company statement from earlier this month that said the company has so far delivered 65 engines for the LCA Mk-1 programme, and another 99 are on order for the LCA Mk-1A variant. India's close defence partner Russia this week also offered to make its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 in India for the Indian Air Force, by enhancing the Indian production line of the Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft, 260 of which are in India's fleet.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indian warplane maker promises faster delivery after air chief's rebuke
By Shivam Patel BENGALURU (Reuters) -India's state fighter jet maker Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) said it understood why India's air force was impatient over delays in delivering warplanes and would start rolling them out once General Electric supplied engines for them. In a pre-scheduled press conference on Tuesday that was held a day after the head of the air force rebuked company officials, HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil said when asked about the delays: "The concern of the air chief is understandable. Of course, his squadron strengths are going down." "We have now promised that we will have all the structures ready," Sunil said. "We are building this. Once the engines are available, this will start rolling out." The Indian Air Force's fleet of mainly ex-Soviet aircraft has been operating with only 31 fighter squadrons compared with a target of 42, frustrating its officials given the country's tense relations with neighbours China and Pakistan. The Air Force has ordered 83 Mk-1A light combat aircraft from HAL, an advanced variant of the operational Mk-1 "Tejas", with deliveries initially planned to start in February 2024 as part of a 364.68 billion rupees ($4.20 billion) contract. It plans to procure 97 more Mk-1As, which would take the total of the Tejas group of aircraft to 220. But deliveries have been repeatedly delayed, due in part to the slow arrival of engines from GE, which has been facing supply chain issues. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh was seen rebuking HAL officials at the Aero India air show in Bengaluru in a video filmed by defence news outlet National Defence that went viral on Tuesday. "At the moment I am just not confident of HAL," Singh said, seating inside the cockpit of a trainer aircraft as HAL officials crouched by his side on a platform. "I was promised that when I come here in February I will see 11 Mk1As ready, minus the engines," Singh said. "Not a single one is ready. Not impressed." India's defence production secretary, Sanjeev Kumar, said at the same air show that production lines had stabilised both at HAL and GE, and that the Indian company would have the capacity to hand over 16 to 24 aircraft in the fiscal year that starts in April. GE Aerospace referred to a company statement from earlier this month that said the company has so far delivered 65 engines for the LCA Mk-1 programme, and another 99 are on order for the LCA Mk-1A variant. India's close defence partner Russia this week also offered to make its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 in India for the Indian Air Force, by enhancing the Indian production line of the Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft, 260 of which are in India's fleet. ($1 = 86.8700 Indian rupees) Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
12-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Indian warplane maker promises faster delivery after air chief's rebuke
Summary Companies IAF operates with 31 squadrons, target is 42 Jet maker HAL facing issue with engine supplies HAL says it understands concerns, trying to fix problem BENGALURU, Feb 12 (Reuters) - India's state fighter jet maker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) said it understood why the military was impatient over delays in delivering warplanes and would start rolling them out once General Electric (GE.N), opens new tab supplied engines for them. In a press conference on Tuesday, called after the emergence of a video showing the head of the air force rebuking company officials, HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil said: "The concern of the air chief is understandable. Of course, his squadron strengths are going down." "We have now promised that we will have all the structures ready," Sunil said "We are building this. Once the engines are available, this will start rolling out." The Indian Air Force's fleet of mainly ex-Soviet aircraft has been operating with only 31 fighter squadrons compared with a target of 42, frustrating its officials given the country's tense relations with neighbours China and Pakistan. The Air Force has ordered 83 Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A from HAL, an advanced variant of the operational Mk-1, with deliveries initially planned to start in February 2024 as part of a 364.68 billion rupees ($4.20 billion) contract. It plans to procure 97 more Mk-1As, which would take the total of the "Tejas" group of aircraft to 220. But deliveries have been repeatedly delayed, including due to a slow supply of engines from GE, which has been facing supply chain issues. GE did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on Wednesday. A video filmed by defence news outlet National Defence went viral on Tuesday showing Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh at the Aero India air show in Bengaluru the previous day rebuking HAL officials. "At the moment I am just not confident of HAL," Singh says, seating inside the cockpit of a trainer aircraft as HAL officials crouched by his side on a platform. "I was promised that when I come here in February I will see 11 Mk1As ready, minus the engines," Singh said. "Not a single one is ready. Not impressed." India's defence production secretary, Sanjeev Kumar, said at the same air show that production lines had stabilised both at HAL and GE, and that the Indian company would have the capacity to hand over 16 to 24 aircraft in the fiscal year that starts in April. India's close defence partner Russia this week also offered to make its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 in India for the Indian Air Force, by enhancing the Indian production line of the Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft, 260 of which are in India's fleet. ($1 = 86.8700 Indian rupees)
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indian warplane maker promises faster delivery after air chief's rebuke
By Shivam Patel BENGALURU (Reuters) - India's state fighter jet maker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) said it understood why the military was impatient over delays in delivering warplanes and would start rolling them out once General Electric supplied engines for them. In a press conference on Tuesday, called after the emergence of a video showing the head of the air force rebuking company officials, HAL Chairman D.K. Sunil said: "The concern of the air chief is understandable. Of course, his squadron strengths are going down." "We have now promised that we will have all the structures ready," Sunil said "We are building this. Once the engines are available, this will start rolling out." The Indian Air Force's fleet of mainly ex-Soviet aircraft has been operating with only 31 fighter squadrons compared with a target of 42, frustrating its officials given the country's tense relations with neighbours China and Pakistan. The Air Force has ordered 83 Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A from HAL, an advanced variant of the operational Mk-1, with deliveries initially planned to start in February 2024 as part of a 364.68 billion rupees ($4.20 billion) contract. It plans to procure 97 more Mk-1As, which would take the total of the "Tejas" group of aircraft to 220. But deliveries have been repeatedly delayed, including due to a slow supply of engines from GE, which has been facing supply chain issues. GE did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters on Wednesday. A video filmed by defence news outlet National Defence went viral on Tuesday showing Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh at the Aero India air show in Bengaluru the previous day rebuking HAL officials. "At the moment I am just not confident of HAL," Singh says, seating inside the cockpit of a trainer aircraft as HAL officials crouched by his side on a platform. "I was promised that when I come here in February I will see 11 Mk1As ready, minus the engines," Singh said. "Not a single one is ready. Not impressed." India's defence production secretary, Sanjeev Kumar, said at the same air show that production lines had stabilised both at HAL and GE, and that the Indian company would have the capacity to hand over 16 to 24 aircraft in the fiscal year that starts in April. India's close defence partner Russia this week also offered to make its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet Sukhoi Su-57 in India for the Indian Air Force, by enhancing the Indian production line of the Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft, 260 of which are in India's fleet. ($1 = 86.8700 Indian rupees)
