LCA Tejas Mk1 & Mk1A - News and discussions
- Thread starter Ashwin
- Start date
-
- Tags
- indian defence forum
Mk1A MFDs:
Multi-Function Display (MFD) showing the Stores Management System (SMS) interface:
Not entirely true. Software integration with avionics and the radar has been the reason why even 1 MK1A has not been delivered. Israeli radar has not been fully integrated with the bvr missiles.
New HAL chief takes aim at delivery execution for fighters
Engine bottlenecks could soon start clearing for Hindustan Aeronautics’s Tejas Mk1A fighter. The new head of Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is focused on working through the Indian airframer’s vast order backlog for fighters. Speaking with FlightGlobal at the 2026 Farnborough air show, HAL chairman...www.flightglobal.com
A key challenge for delivering the updated single-engined Tejas Mk1A is the supply of the GE Aerospace F404-IN20 engines. Ravi says that the company has completed 22 Mk1As, but that these cannot be delivered owing to a lack of engines.
“We’ve had discussions with [GE Aerospace] over the past year, and they told us that they have supply chain issues. From there we had discussions with some of their Tier One suppliers to understand what exactly is happening,” says Ravi.
He adds those challenges are now moving toward a resolution.
“They had issues with castings and some suppliers, but I had a good meeting with their top president, where they [said] that the issues are behind them. It’s only a matter of time for everything to get assembled and delivered. This year they promised me 22 engines.”
Ravi confirms that HAL continues to develop the Tejas programme’s follow-on aircraft, the LCA Mk2. Assembly continues with the first prototype, with a first flight likely between March and July 2027.
Ravi also has broader ambitions for the company.
“We need to make products for the world…but first we must deliver for [our existing customers]. Once they are satisfied, then it is easy to market the products outside the country.”