Tejas Mk1A Production Accelerates: 15 Aircraft Nearing Completion by December 2025

India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A program has reached a significant milestone in its production journey, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) making substantial progress in delivering these advanced fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF). As of August 2025, HAL has successfully built 10 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, with two additional units in the final stages of assembly. Furthermore, one Tejas Mk1A trainer variant has been manufactured, and two more trainers are currently on the assembly line. This development positions HAL to have approximately 14 to 15 Tejas Mk1A aircraft ready by December 2025, marking a critical step toward bolstering India’s air defense capabilities and advancing the nation’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the "Make in India" initiative.

Production Momentum and Milestones

The Tejas Mk1A, an advanced variant of the Tejas Mk1, is a lightweight, multi-role supersonic fighter designed to replace the IAF’s aging MiG-21 fleet. The aircraft features upgraded avionics, improved radar systems, and enhanced combat capabilities, including a top speed of Mach 1.8 (approximately 2,223 km/h) and a combat range of about 1,500 kilometers. Powered by the GE Aerospace F404-IN20 engine, the Tejas Mk1A is equipped with a 23mm twin-barrel cannon, precision-guided munitions, and a versatile array of air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, making it a formidable asset in modern aerial warfare.

HAL’s production efforts have gained significant momentum in 2025, following the resolution of critical supply chain bottlenecks, particularly the delayed delivery of F404-IN20 engines from GE Aerospace. The first engine was delivered in March 2025, nearly two years behind schedule, and a second engine followed recently, with GE committing to supply 12 engines by early 2026. These engines are pivotal to the program, and their steady flow has enabled HAL to ramp up production across its facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik.

The Bengaluru facility, with two operational production lines, has been restructured to increase output, while a third production line in Nashik received flight clearance on August 11, 2025, from the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA). Each production line in Bengaluru and Nashik is capable of producing eight aircraft annually, with plans to scale up to a combined output of 16 to 24 Tejas Mk1A jets per year starting in 2025-26. The activation of the Nashik line has decentralized production, reducing risks associated with supply chain disruptions and enhancing operational flexibility.

Private Sector Collaboration

A key factor in the accelerated production of the Tejas Mk1A is the involvement of private sector companies, aligning with India’s push for indigenous defense manufacturing. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) delivered the first set of wing assemblies for the Tejas Mk1A to HAL in Coimbatore on July 17, 2025, marking a significant milestone. L&T plans to supply four wing sets annually initially, with the potential to scale up to 12 sets per year through advanced automation and assembly techniques. Other private players contributing critical components include:

• Lakshmi Machine Works: Air intake assemblies

• Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Pvt Ltd: Rear fuselage assemblies

• Amphenol: Loom assemblies

• Tata Advanced Systems: Fin and rudder assemblies

• VEM Technologies: Center fuselage assemblies

This collaboration has enabled HAL to establish a parallel aircraft structural assembly line in the private sector, significantly boosting production capacity. HAL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Dr. D.K. Sunil, emphasized this partnership, stating, “HAL is actively collaborating with both large companies and SMEs to drive Aatmanirbharta in aerospace and defence.”

Delivery Timelines and Future Orders

The current production status indicates that HAL is on track to deliver up to 12 Tejas Mk1A aircraft by the end of 2025, with the first batch of six jets scheduled for delivery by March 2026. The completion of 10 aircraft, with two in final assembly and three trainers (one completed and two in progress), suggests that HAL is poised to meet or exceed its target of 14 to 15 aircraft by December 2025. The first Nashik-built Tejas Mk1A is expected to be delivered in August 2025, further reinforcing the program’s progress.

The IAF has placed high expectations on the Tejas program, with a contract for 83 Mk1A aircraft signed in February 2021 for ₹48,000 crore. An additional order for 97 jets, valued at ₹67,000 crore, is in the pipeline, bringing the total planned fleet to 180 aircraft by 2031. This expansion is critical as the IAF’s squadron strength has dwindled to 31, against an authorized strength of 42.5, due to the retirement of aging aircraft like the MiG-21, MiG-27, and Jaguars. The Tejas Mk1A is seen as a vital component in closing this gap and enhancing India’s aerial combat readiness amid regional tensions with China and Pakistan.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the progress, the Tejas Mk1A program has faced significant challenges, including delays in engine deliveries and the integration of critical systems like the Astra air-to-air missile. The global supply chain disruptions and GE Aerospace’s production challenges had previously stalled progress, with only one engine delivered by early 2025. However, recent commitments from GE to deliver 12 engines by March 2026 and 20 annually thereafter have alleviated some concerns. Additionally, HAL and GE are in discussions for co-production and technology transfer of the F414 engines for the Tejas Mk2, further aligning with India’s self-reliance goals.

The Ministry of Defence has also taken proactive steps to address systemic delays by forming a five-member Defence Empowerment Committee, led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The committee has recommended involving private players in the production chain and streamlining processes to ensure timely deliveries.

Strategic Importance

The Tejas Mk1A program is a cornerstone of India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and fostering innovation in the aerospace sector. The successful delivery of 14 to 15 aircraft by December 2025 will mark a turning point for HAL and the IAF, signaling India’s growing capability to produce advanced, homegrown combat aircraft. As HAL scales up production and integrates more indigenous components, the Tejas Mk1A is poised to become a powerful symbol of India’s defense self-reliance, strengthening its strategic posture in a volatile geopolitical landscape.