India's indigenous-built Tejas Mk1A fighter jet will make its debut flight on October 19 in Maharashtra's Nashik. The flight will be inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility.
Along with this, he will also inaugurate the third production line for the Tejas Mk1A and the second production line for the HTT-40 aircraft. This achievement marks a significant step towards self-reliance in India’s defence manufacturing sector and strengthens the vision of the 'Make in India' initiative.
Tejas Mk1A: India’s leap in indigenous air power
The Tejas Mk-1A marks a major advancement in India’s aerospace capabilities. This 4.5-generation, multi-role combat aircraft has been designed to strengthen the Indian Air Force’s operational edge. Equipped with cutting-edge radar systems, advanced avionics, and sophisticated electronic warfare suites, the Tejas Mk-1A offers enhanced precision and lethality. With a top speed of Mach 1.8, or nearly 2,200 kilometres per hour, it is also being fitted to carry the BrahMos new-generation cruise missile, significantly boosting its strike capability.
The latest variant of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has been engineered to meet the demands of modern warfare, offering superior agility, stealth features, and versatile mission performance. Defence experts have dubbed it the “Arjun of the skies”, symbolising India’s growing confidence and maturity in indigenous defence technology.
Delays and production challenges
Despite its promise, the delivery of the Tejas Mk-1A has faced notable delays. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was initially slated to begin deliveries in February 2024, but encountered setbacks due to supply chain disruptions from US defence giant General Electric (GE). The F404-IN20 engines, crucial to the aircraft’s performance, were arriving at a slow pace of one or two units per month, hindering production. HAL now aims to deliver all 83 aircraft ordered by the Indian Air Force within the next four years.
