Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to start deliveries of the Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of 2026, and the company is working to resolve the remaining radar and weapons integration issues, according to a report released on September 18.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director Ravi K said in a statement that he expects to complete the remaining technical corrections in about a month. Some radar issues are still being addressed, and final weapons integration testing remains pending before the aircraft can be cleared for delivery.
The latest update comes after several delays to the Tejas Mk1A programme. Under the original contract signed in February 2021, the IAF ordered 83 Mk1A aircraft from HAL. Initially, the deliveries were expected to be made in March 2024, but the programme was impacted by delays with GE Aerospace's F404-IN20 engines as well as further integration and testing.
HAL has 27 Tejas Mk1A airframes ready
The company currently has 27 Tejas Mk1A airframes ready in place, according to HAL's latest update. HAL has also received 10 F404 engines from GE Aerospace, enabling the company to proceed to complete and take delivery of aircraft.
The availability of engines has been one of the main constraints on the programme. GE Aerospace shipped three more F404-IN20 engines to HAL in August 2026, taking the total number of engines delivered under the programme to 10. There were reports that several of the Tejas Mk1A airframes were waiting for engines before they could go forward to formal handover.
Ravi said the available engines and completed airframes mean HAL could ship 10 aircraft during the 2026-27 financial year. The company is therefore looking forward to translating the improved engine supply situation into actual aircraft deliveries to the IAF.
Radar and Weapons Integration remain important tasks
While manufacturing progress has continued, the Tejas Mk1A still has to complete some important system-level work before induction.
HAL is working on issues related to the aircraft's radar and the integration of its weapons package. The Mk1A features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, an improved electronic warfare system, improved avionics, air-to-air refuelling capability and improved weapons integration compared with the earlier Tejas Mk1 configuration.
So the remaining testing is crucial to ensure that the aircraft that are delivered to the IAF meet the contracted operational specifications. HAL has said that final corrections and weapons integration work will be progressing in the coming weeks.
Tejas Mk1A Programme has faced Engine Delays
The F404-IN20 engine supply issue has been a major reason behind the delay in the Mk1A programme. GE Aerospace has been providing the engines for the aircraft, but deliveries fell behind the schedule required by HAL.
In September, it was reported that GE had delivered 10 engines, and HAL was still awaiting additional units. GE has also invoked contractual provisions relating to delays in engine deliveries.
HAL had said it expected engine supplies to improve in 2026. The latest availability of engines has allowed HAL to make progress toward its delivery target, but radar and weapons integration are critical issues.
#WATCH | Karnataka | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to hand over Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Final Operational Clearance (FOC) Twin Seater Trainers & HTT 40 Basic Trainer Aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Dhruv Next Generation (NG) helicopters to Pawan Hans… pic.twitter.com/50kPeqqXWV
— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2026
IAF has ordered 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft
Tejas Mk1A programme has been expanded beyond the original 83 aircraft order. In September 2025, the government placed a second order for 97 additional Mk1A aircraft, taking the total number of aircraft ordered by the IAF to 180.
The second contract covers 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers. According to the Defence Ministry's latest annual report, deliveries under this second order are scheduled to begin in September 2027 and continue through September 2033.
The first 83-aircraft contract is of immediate priority, with HAL working towards deliveries before the end of 2026. If integration and testing of the Tejas Mk1A aircraft continue as planned, the first Tejas could finally be handed to the IAF after the long delay.
Focus shifts from Production to Delivery
With dozens of airframes already produced and engine availability improving, the Tejas Mk1A programme is now moving toward the end of testing and formal acceptance for delivery.
HAL's target of delivering around 10 aircraft during FY2026-27 will depend on resolving the remaining radar and weapons integration issues as well as a steady supply of F404 engines.
The first handovers will mark a significant step in the long-delayed Mk1A programme. The aircraft are expected to form a significant part of the IAF's future fighter fleet as older aircraft are progressively retired, and additional indigenous fighters are inducted.
