Archive · 30 May 2025
Tejas Mk-1A Jet Delivery Delayed; Air Force Concerns Raised
The Air Force is unhappy because the new Tejas fighter jets are not being delivered on time.
This is because the engines were late.
The Air Chief wants the companies making the jets to stop making promises they can't keep.
The plan was to have the first jets by March 2024, but it didn't happen.
Now, the goal is to have all 83 jets by 2028.
The Air Force is also planning to order more jets.
The government has made a special group to find ways to speed things up.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh expressed concern over delays in the Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet program.
HAL was expected to deliver the first Tejas Mk-1A by March 31, 2024, but missed the deadline.
Delays were primarily caused by late engine deliveries from GE Aerospace and certification issues.
HAL aims to deliver all 83 aircraft by 2028 with increased production capacity.
The IAF is planning to order 97 more Mk-1A aircraft.
- Who
- Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- What
- Delays in the delivery of Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets.
- When
- Deadline of March 31, 2024, missed. Discussions at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025.
- Where
- CII Annual Business Summit; India
- Why
- To address project delays and improve the operational readiness of the Air Force.
Air Force
Defence Industry
Project Delivery
Air Force
Air Chief Marshal expresses frustration over the delays impacting the Air Force's capabilities.
Defence Industry
Companies should strive to deliver projects on time and avoid making undeliverable promises.
- Key Figure
- Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh
- Event
- CII Annual Business Summit 2025
- Project Timeline
- HAL to deliver 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets by 2028
- Reason for Delay
- Delayed engine deliveries from GE Aerospace
- Project Cost
- Rs 48,000 crore (initial) for 83 jets
- Government Action
- Five-member Defence Empowerment Committee formed
Sources
'Why promise ... ': Air Chief's blunt warning over delays in defence projects
IAF chief's shocker on projects: We sign contracts despite being aware of delays
India's defence exports set to rise after Operation Sindoor: DRDO chief
Air Force AP Singh calls out delays in defence projects: 'None of the signed contracts completed on time'
Air Chief Marshal expresses concern over delays in delivery of defence projects
Defence project delays hit operational readiness: IAF chief
