HAL LCA Tejas: Updates, News & Discussions

[Trigger]

Indian Air Force to raise three Tejas LCA Mk1A Squadrons by late 2026

18 August 2025

With supply chain issues surrounding the US-made GE F404 engines for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A beginning to ease, the Bharatiya Vayu Sena (IAF, Indian Air Force) is on track to induct three squadrons of the aircraft by the end of 2026.

The first unit, No. 3 Squadron 'Cobras', based at Nal Air Force Station in Bikaner (Rajasthan), is transitioning from the MiG-21 Bison to the Tejas Mk1A. A second squadron is planned for Rajasthan, likely near the western border. A third squadron is expected at Srinagar Air Force Station (Jammu & Kashmir), with No. 51 Squadron 'Sword Arms' reported to be the recipient. A fourth possible location is Naliya Air Force Station (Gujarat), where No. 18 Squadron 'Flying Bullets' already operates the Tejas LCA Mk1 and LCA-T Mk1.

The IAF plans to acquire a total of 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft. The initial contract, signed in February 2021, covers 83 aircraft (73 single-seat fighters and 10 twin-seat trainers). A follow-on order for 97 aircraft has been approved and is moving through the procurement process.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is expanding production capacity from around 16 aircraft annually to 24 by 2026-27, with a target of 30 per year by 2030. This ramp-up is intended to meet the timelines for both orders.

A standard IAF fighter squadron comprises 16–18 aircraft, plus reserves for training and attrition. Together, the two Mk1A contracts will provide the IAF with roughly ten full squadrons.

Indian Air Force to raise three Tejas LCA Mk1A Squadrons by late 2026

Indian Air Force to raise three Tejas LCA Mk1A Squadrons by late 2026 With supply chain issues surrounding the US-made GE F404 engines for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1

www.scramble.nl

when i was 11 years old (2011) i used to hear about how the LCA Tejas was a great fighter that would destroy the pakis f-16s and chinese crap jf-17 in the coming years on the internet. now that i am 25 year old i am still hearing about how the Tejas will change the subcontinent forever in just two more week™.

 

[Be dazzled]

in your face @Tejas Spokesman

That's plain ruthless.

 

[rishi7887]

Your friend's point of view was 100% correct. Per my work experience, my company had a customized project with a local US company which moved the software part to their subsidiary in India. The Indian side had missed the deadline multiple times due to thousands of reasons, and the latest delay was the 10-days Sindoor victory celebration time off. Interesting, isn't it?

That story sounds fictional to me. Indian companies have carved out a niche in software and tech. MNCs aren't obligated to setup shops in India and if the talent and work culture would've been bad, they would've shifted elsewhere. That has not happened. Indian tech sector employs 25 million people.

 

[ThoroughPro]

Tejas would be a similar case to SU30MKI that was not required/desired by IAF.

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[Pradotlc]

when i was 11 years old (2011) i used to hear about how the LCA Tejas was a great fighter that would destroy the pakis f-16s and chinese crap jf-17 in the coming years on the internet. now that i am 25 year old i am still hearing about how the Tejas will change the subcontinent forever in just two more week™.

LCA is still number one….

In a Bollywood movie

 

[Hakwa Nadro]

Even if the Tejas is a total turd they will induct it however slowly,
If it's then poor, they will hide it and use it as a propaganda tool with regular articles comparing Tejas to JF17, J10, F16, F35 etc

The indians have a very very fragile ego, and they can't take any more pain after 2019, 2020, 2025 a failed Tejas program might drive them mad

More like they will send the mighty tejas to the bay of bengal during the next confrontation and tell the public it went deep inside Pakistan and caused havoc, the details will be sorted out by bollywood.

 

[ThoroughPro]

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my fraaaand Dolaaan tamp

lets wait and see how things role forward after 114 Rafal order is signed.

 

[ThoroughPro]

People need to realize China has cut down export of rare earth metals which are essential for production of jet engines, now US needs to fill their needs first.

 

[Fatman17]

To be merged

 

[Michael]

Former IAF Airchief B S Dhanoa is arguing that the LCA project should have been shelved .

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Clearly, he knows nothing about politics.

The LCA is India's spiritual banner. No matter how slow its development may be, no one can bring it to an end.

 

[Tejas Spokesman]

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[SoulSpokesman]

@Tejas Spokesman bro

Clearing the deal is one thing. HAL delivering is another thing altogether....

Regards

 

[onlinpunit]

So total order for MK1A : 83+97 = 180.
Theoretically the max HAL can make in a year =36
So that will take 5 years ! But Then HAL is HAL !!

 

[Sam6536]

Good, replace all the aging cold war era platforms.

 

[SoulSpokesman]

@onlinpunit

Theoretically the max HAL can make in a year =36

I won't be betting on them making 36 a year.

This is another dinosaur like BSNL. Need to set up a private sector competitor or two and mothball it.

Regards