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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh connected Monday (June 8, 2026) reviewed the advancement of large ongoing projects of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) astatine a high-level gathering held astatine Kartavya Bhavan, with delays successful the transportation of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A featuring prominently successful the discussions.
During the meeting, Mr. Singh directed the Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, K. Ravi, to strictly adhere to transportation schedules for each defence projects and emphasised the request for the timely execution of programmes captious to the equipped forces’ modernisation plans.
According to elder defence officials, the Ministry of Defence is besides examining the anticipation of imposing penalties connected HAL for delays successful the transportation of Tejas Mk1A combatant craft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Officials said six GE F404 engines required for the programme had already arrived successful India, portion astir 18 Tejas Mk1A airframes were ready. With motor supplies opening to stabilise, authorities are hopeful that HAL volition beryllium capable to present the craft by the extremity of the year.
Supply concatenation disruptions
The Tejas Mk1A deliveries were primitively scheduled to commence earlier but person faced repeated delays owed to proviso concatenation disruptions and delays successful motor deliveries from the United States. To accelerate accumulation and conscionable aboriginal requirements, HAL has established 3 dedicated accumulation lines — 2 successful Bengaluru and 1 successful Nashik.
The Tejas Mk1A programme remains a cardinal pillar of the IAF’s combatant fleet modernisation effort. The Air Force has already contracted 83 Tejas Mk1A craft nether a woody worthy implicit ₹48,000 crore. The authorities has besides cleared the procurement of an further 97 aircraft, importantly expanding the programme’s scale.
The Tejas household comprises aggregate variants, including the Mk1, Mk1A, the under-development Mk2, arsenic good arsenic trainer and naval versions. While the Mk1 is presently operational with the IAF, the Mk1A introduces respective precocious capabilities, including an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an upgraded physics warfare suite, beyond-visual-range rocket capability, air-to-air refuelling and a reduced radar signature.
The reappraisal gathering comes amid increasing accent connected strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing and ensuring timely induction of domestically developed platforms into the equipped forces.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. attended the meeting. Raja Subramani, IAF Chief A.P. Singh and different elder officials.
