Bengaluru: HAL Chairman DK Sunil has acknowledged the delays in delivering Tejas fighter jets to IAF, however he attributed them to supply chain disruptions, particularly related to engine manufacturing issues with General Electric.
He assured that efforts were underway to resolve these problems and confirmed that deliveries would begin once the engines arrive. He assured that once engines are supplied, production would accelerate. Sunil expressed commitment to resolving these issues and emphasised HAL’s dedication to supporting the IAF’s requirements.
“Our focus is not on getting into a debate on this. I’d rather channelise the energy of my teams on delivering the aircraft. ‘Tu tu main main se kuch nahin hoga’ (squabbling will not serve any purpose),” DK Sunil said.
“We have built three MK-1A fighters and flew them with ‘Category B’ (reserve) engines at the airshow. The aircraft are fully ready in hardware --- equipped with a more capable radar, the jammer is there, the electronic warfare suite is there, it has a new mission computer and a smart multi-function display. All the stuff that we had promised is there and fully integrated. Now we are in the final stages of firing the indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. We will do it in the next 15 days,” the HAL chief said.
The IAF Chief recently urged for a “drastic change” in HAL’s approach to align efforts and improve outcomes. He stated, “Something must change. Some drastic change. This needs a magic wand so everything gets aligned”.
The backdrop of these comments includes ongoing challenges in India’s defense indigenization efforts, particularly concerning the TEJAS program. The IAF has ordered 83 TEJAS MK-1A aircraft to bolster its fighter fleet, which has been shrinking due to aging aircraft. The urgency for these deliveries is underscored by the current operational needs of the Air Force, which is struggling with a reduced number of fighter squadrons.
HAL has made some progress with prototypes and public displays at Aero India 2025, the IAF chief’s remarks reflect deep-seated frustrations over unmet expectations and highlight the critical need for improvements in production timelines and operational efficiency within India’s defence manufacturing sector.
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