Tejas programme hits snag: HAL delivers just 5 of 83 jets, production delays persist

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Thursday said that five Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft are fully ready for delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF) , even as the flagship fighter programme continues to face major delays. The aircraft are part of the Rs 48,000 crore contract signed in 2021 for the supply of 83 Tejas jets . Another nine aircraft have been built and flown , but remain grounded due to the non-availability of engines from U.S.-based General Electric (GE) Aerospace , HAL said.

HAL had originally committed to delivering all 83 aircraft by 2024 , with a production rate of 16–24 jets per year . However, as of 2026 , only five aircraft are ready , while nine more await engines. The delay has drawn concern within the Air Force, with the Air Chief previously flagging the slow pace of induction at a time when the IAF’s fighter squadron strength has fallen to 30 , well below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons .

The primary bottleneck has been the delayed supply of F404-GE-IN20 engines from GE Aerospace. HAL has maintained that aircraft structures, avionics and systems are ready, but deliveries cannot proceed without engines. GE had to restart a largely dormant production line for the India-specific engine variant, a technically complex process that, along with global supply-chain disruptions and stringent certification requirements, pushed deliveries back by nearly two years . The first engines were received only in late 2024 and early 2025, and India has imposed contractual penalties on GE for missed deadlines.

The programme also came under intense scrutiny following a fatal crash during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow in late 2025 , when Indian Air Force Wing Commander Namansh Syal lost his life. The incident raised fresh questions over safety and quality assurance, especially as the aircraft was being showcased internationally. HAL said a detailed investigation was conducted and that all design and operational issues identified are being addressed in an expedited manner, with enhanced safety checks incorporated before further inductions.

Despite using an imported engine, Tejas continues to be described as India’s first indigenously designed fighter aircraft . Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by HAL, the jet features an Indian-designed airframe, avionics, flight-control systems and mission software. The engine remains a temporary import due to the absence of a proven high-thrust indigenous powerplant.

With engine supply still the key constraint and safety reviews slowing deliveries, the IAF is now expected to induct all 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft by around 2029 , a timeline that underscores the gap between original commitments and present realities.