We have made the planes but not the engines… What did the HAL chief say on the delay in delivery of Tejas
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The wait for the Tejas fighter aircraft to be received by the Air Force is increasing. The engine for this fighter plane was to be supplied by GE Aerospace. The delay in the delivery of F404 engines for the Tejas fighter plane has seriously affected the operational capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Actually, Tejas is being prepared to be an alternative to the MiG-21, but due to the delay in delivery, the Air Force has to depend on old and less reliable aircraft. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is responsible for preparing the Tejas Mk-1A fighter plane for the Air Force. The situation is that we have the planes ready but the engines are not there.
We have made the planes but…
HAL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) DK Sunil said that this delay was only due to the inability of the American company GE Aerospace to supply the F404 engine on time. He said that every company has to face criticism. This happens. Unfortunately, in the case of LCA Mark-1A (also the same has happened), we have built the aircraft. As of today, we have six aircraft ready. It is just that the supply of engines from GE Aerospace has not been received. They (GE) were supposed to supply the engines in 2023. So far, we have received only one engine.
This delay was only due to the inability of the US company GE Aerospace to supply the F404 engines on time. Every company faces criticism. It happens. Unfortunately, in the case of LCA Mark-1A (also the same has happened), we have built the aircraft. As of today, we have six aircraft ready.
DK Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL
Why was there a delay in supply?
The delay from GE was initially due to the delay in production during the Covid pandemic and then due to the departure of several senior engineers from the company, which disrupted the supply chain. According to Sunil, the technical issues with GE Aerospace have been resolved and HAL is expected to get 12 jet engines by March 2026. HAL has planned the production of 16 jets in the coming year. Provided that the supply of engines from GE Aerospace is regular.
Air Force Chief had expressed concern
In fact, the Air Force has expressed concern over the delay in getting Tejas. Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh had recently raised it. After this it became a big issue. In February 2021, the Ministry of Defense signed a deal of Rs 48,000 crore with HAL for the purchase of 83 Tejas MK-1A jets for the Air Force. The ministry is in the process of purchasing 97 more LCA MK-1A at a cost of Rs 67,000 crore.
