Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Tejas Trainer Handover Highlights Defence Delays and Technology Obsolescence
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited gave the Indian Air Force its last two Tejas Mk1 training planes.
This finished an order for 40 Tejas aircraft that began in 2006.
The order took much longer than planned.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said delays can leave the military without needed equipment.
He also said technology might become outdated before it is delivered.
HAL has built 27 Tejas Mk1A airframes, but testing problems remain.
These problems include checking the radar and missiles.
The IAF has not yet received any Tejas Mk1A aircraft.
HAL also delivered other trainers and helicopters during the ceremony.
HAL handed over the final two Tejas Mk1 FOC trainers to the Indian Air Force in Bengaluru.
The completed 40-aircraft Tejas Mk1 order was delivered nearly a decade after its second contractual deadline.
Rajnath Singh warned that delays can create capability gaps, raise costs and make technology obsolete.
HAL also handed over three HTT-40 trainers to the IAF and four Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans.
The IAF is still awaiting its first Tejas Mk1A, with radar and missile testing issues reportedly delaying delivery.
- Who
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Indian Air Force and Pawan Hans were involved.
- What
- HAL handed over the final two Tejas Mk1 FOC trainers, three HTT-40 trainers and four Dhruv NG helicopters.
- When
- The handover and remarks took place on Friday; the second Tejas Mk1 order had a December 2016 deadline.
- Where
- The ceremony took place in Bengaluru.
- Why
- The event marked completion of the original 40-aircraft Tejas Mk1 order and highlighted delays affecting defence capability, costs and technology.
Delivery Concerns
Programme Progress
Defence project delays
Delivery Concerns
Rajnath Singh said delays can create capability gaps, increase costs and make technology obsolete before reaching the armed forces.
Programme Progress
HAL has completed the original 40-aircraft Tejas Mk1 order and said it is continuing tests and work on the Mk1A programme.
Tejas Mk1A handover
Delivery Concerns
The Indian Air Force has yet to receive its first Tejas Mk1A, despite the first aircraft being due by February 2024.
Programme Progress
HAL said it had completed 27 Mk1A airframes and attributed the delay to outstanding AESA radar integration, missile-related testing and other issues.
- Tejas Mk1 order
- 40 aircraft: 20 ordered in 2006 and 20 in 2010.
- Original deadlines
- The first order was due by December 2011; the second was due by December 2016.
- Tejas Mk1A order
- The IAF ordered 83 aircraft—73 fighters and 10 trainers—in 2021 for about Rs 48,000 crore.
- Mk1A delivery plan
- The first Mk1A was due by February 2024, with the full order scheduled over nine years.
- Mk1A status
- HAL said it had completed 27 Mk1A airframes, but radar integration and missile-related testing remained unresolved.
- Other deliveries
- HAL handed over three HTT-40 trainers to the IAF and four Dhruv NG helicopters to Pawan Hans.