HAL LCA Tejas: Updates, News & Discussions

[panzerfaust 3]

So the software glitch was GE's fault too?

 

[Yasser76]

View attachment 189699

OK, so no proper reply.

 

[studsmart]

GE Misses March 2026 Engine Deadline, Triggering Fresh Tejas Mk1A Crisis as India’s Fighter Fleet Modernisation Falters​

The failure to deliver five additional GE F404-IN20 engines before March 2026 has intensified delays to India’s Tejas Mk1A programme, threatening Indian Air Force plans to replace ageing MiG-21, MiG-29 and Jaguar fighter fleets.​

On April 2 2026

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — India’s effort to rebuild its shrinking fighter fleet has entered another critical phase after General Electric failed to deliver five additional F404-IN20 engines before the end of March 2026.

According to local India defence website, the missed deadline has transformed an already delayed Tejas Mk1A programme into a wider force-structure problem because the Indian Air Force urgently requires replacement aircraft for retiring Soviet-era combat fleets.

Without the promised engines, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited cannot sustain planned production rates, leaving India’s most important indigenous fighter programme increasingly vulnerable to industrial disruption and strategic slippage.

The latest delay has emerged despite a mutually agreed schedule requiring five new engines during the first quarter of 2026 following delivery of the previous fifth engine in December 2025.

Had the March timetable been achieved, HAL would now possess ten engines from the original 2021 contract covering ninety-nine GE F404-IN20 powerplants for the Tejas Mk1A programme.

That 2021 agreement, valued at US$716 million or approximately RM2.72 billion, was intended to guarantee long-term propulsion availability for India’s principal indigenous light combat aircraft fleet.

Instead, nearly five years after the contract was signed, the Tejas Mk1A programme remains constrained by the same engine shortages that have repeatedly delayed production milestones.

GE Misses March 2026 Engine Deadline, Triggering Fresh Tejas Mk1A Crisis as India’s Fighter Fleet Modernisation Falters - Defence Security Asia

GE has missed its March 2026 deadline to deliver five additional F404-IN20 engines for India’s Tejas Mk1A fighter programme, deepening delays, threatening Indian Air Force squadron strength and exposing a critical vulnerability in India’s defence-industrial supply chain.

defencesecurityasia.com

do we even now the details of why GE keep missing the timeline, this is very uncalled for a company of the stature of GE.

 

[spammmmer]

Time to fit other engine or the program is dead should pour more money to get the new engine done within 5 yrs or tata bye bye to tejas.

 

[Khanviletey]

do we even now the details of why GE keep missing the timeline, this is very uncalled for a company of the stature of GE.

GE is getting such bad press from all the crashes IAF has had that they feel it’s counter productive to give India engines.

Just my two cente
kV

 

[Faceless]

We spotted LA-5037 in Early Feb
LA-5039 in Late March

View attachment 140430

And we also spotted LT-5208 the last of Mk1 Trainer in early March
View attachment 140432

LA-5041 was spotted in july
View attachment 140445

The first Mk1A batch trainer (technically its a Mk1 FOC standard aircraft) LT-5209 was spotted in August in an India TV news report
View attachment 140435

we again spotted the 9th Tejas Mk1A LA-5041 in the same video too
View attachment 140437

According to the orignal timeline HAL had to produce 12 Tejas Mk1A in FY2024-25 and as of right now HAL has produced 10 Tejas Mk1A (not good but not terrible either)
And if HAL CMD's last interview is to be believed We may see LA-5043 roll out from the nasik assembly line in this very month making that the 12th Mk1A aircraft.

Another Sighting of LA-5041

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[CallSignMaverick]

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[SABRE]

Another Sighting of LA-5041
View attachment 191198

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Why is the Predator invited?

 

[CallSignMaverick]

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[Deino]

Cool photo and sorry in case it was already posted1

 

[studsmart]

Cool photo and sorry in case it was already posted1

View attachment 199171

AI generated indeed

 

[White Privilege]

About darn time, to stop further developments, and convert existing and under construction airframes to trainers, may give back some return....

 

[Deino]

AI generated indeed

No? Really?

 

[onlinpunit]

No? Really?

This is the guy who has taken this pic. Check his profile.

https://www.instagram.com/praneethfranklin?igsh=MXZ4ZTEyMDNrZXZsOA==

 

[Deino]

This is the guy who has taken this pic. Check his profile.

https://www.instagram.com/praneethfranklin?igsh=MXZ4ZTEyMDNrZXZsOA==

So it is real?