Tejas Mk1A Takes Flight: IAF to Receive 12 Jets by Year-End as HAL Ramps Up Production

India’s homegrown fighter jet program is gaining serious momentum. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to receive up to 12 Tejas Mk1A aircraft by the end of 2025, a major boost for the nation’s indigenous defence capabilities. This progress comes as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) accelerates production at its Bengaluru facility and finally receives long-awaited engine shipments from the U.S.-based General Electric (GE) Aerospace.

The announcement was made by HAL during its earnings call on May 16, with company officials expressing renewed confidence in meeting their delivery goals. Much of this optimism stems from the recent resolution of a critical bottleneck — the delayed arrival of GE’s F404-IN20 engines, which are essential to powering the Tejas Mk1A.

“With the engines now arriving, we are on track to roll out the first LCA Mk1A in the coming months and aim to deliver up to 12 aircraft to the IAF by the end of this year,” a senior HAL executive confirmed.

To meet this timeline, HAL has significantly ramped up operations at its Bengaluru production line. The facility has adopted lessons from earlier versions of the Tejas Mk1, helping streamline the process and improve output quality.

The Tejas Mk1A represents an advanced version of the original Tejas Mk1, with modern avionics, upgraded radar systems, and improved combat performance. Capable of speeds up to Mach 1.8 (around 2,200 km/h) and a combat range of about 1,500 kilometers, it is powered by the GE F404-IN20 engine which delivers 84 kilonewtons of thrust.

Earlier delays in delivering these engines had cast a shadow over HAL’s ability to meet its deadlines. The global supply chain crunch and GE’s internal production challenges had slowed progress significantly. With engine flow now steady, HAL is back on track.

India’s defence forces have placed high expectations on the Tejas programme. The IAF has already committed to acquiring 240 Tejas Mk1A jets, under contracts worth more than ₹1.2 lakh crore. The initial batch of 83 jets is scheduled for delivery by 2029, but the arrival of engines may help accelerate this timeline.

In addition, HAL and GE are discussing deeper cooperation, including co-production and technology transfer. This aligns closely with the Indian government’s 'Make in India' initiative, which aims to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

This push for indigenous capability comes at a time when the IAF is grappling with a shortage in its fighter squadrons. Rising tensions with both China and Pakistan have underscored the need for a modern, homegrown fleet. In fact, recent aerial incidents with Pakistan in May 2025 highlighted the urgency for more advanced aircraft.

Currently, the IAF operates a mix of Su-30 MKIs, French Rafales, and ageing MiG-21s. With the MiG-21s nearing retirement, the induction of Tejas Mk1A fighters is seen as vital to maintaining the IAF’s operational readiness and air superiority in the region.

The successful delivery of these 12 jets by year-end would not only mark a turning point for HAL but also reaffirm India’s strategic move towards defence self-reliance. It signals that the Tejas Mk1A is no longer just a project of promise — it’s becoming a powerful reality in India's skies.