Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to deliver two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets next month. The government plans to sign a new contract with HAL for the purchase of 97 additional Tejas aircraft following the delivery of these two. The Indian Air Force has expressed concerns regarding delays in the delivery of Tejas Mark-1A aircraft. The first two aircraft are expected to be delivered with integrated weapons systems by the end of September.
Approximately 38 Tejas aircraft are currently in service, and around 80 more are under construction. The Ministry of Defence signed a deal with HAL in February 2021 for 83 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft, which was worth ₹48,000 crore. Delays in the delivery of these aircraft were caused by the failure of US defense company GE Aerospace to deliver the necessary engines on time. The government recently approved the purchase of 97 more Tejas fighter aircraft, which will cost around ₹67,000 crore. HAL is expected to have a backlog of orders for the next four to five years. The aim is to improve the platform, integrate radar, and incorporate Indian weapons so that it becomes a useful tool alongside the Sukhoi. The single-engine Mk-1A will replace the MiG-21 fighter jets of the Indian Air Force. The Indian Air Force is looking to incorporate these fighter aircraft to address the decrease in its fighter squadron numbers, which have dropped from 42 to 31.