HAL LCA Tejas: Updates, News & Discussions

[johncliu88]

I just got this from a friend and in fact I slowly think he's correct!

View attachment 140809

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?

 

[Vkdindian1]

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?

Don’t link delay by HAL to the delay in your company.

Indian private sector is highly professional and has carved a niche for themselves by professional and timely work.

Your case seems just one off kinds.

 

[Tejas Spokesman]

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

 

[Windjammer]

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

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[White Privilege]

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

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in your face @Tejas Spokesman

 

[SABRE]

Question is, with or without Tejas?

 

[Oscar]

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

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He is making sense because where it is currently it should have been there 15 years ago.

I would love to see how they manage to push out 50 jets even if they have 50 engines sitting around.

 

[SABRE]

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

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"Ideally speaking it should have gone" - sums up IAF's opinion on Tejas, but they'll be forced by Indian/BJP government to induct it, provided HAL is able to deliver. Three squadrons by next year is bit much given HAL's capacity. This would probably happen in the next five years. Problem on the horizon is the engine. With the US imposing 50% tariff, I wonder if India would go with GE engines now.

 

[PK781]

the real question is:

is this teja jet going to overtake the rafales ?? as in being frontline attack aircraft?
or it will be 2nd line of defense?
When will it take to the indian skies and showoff its prowess ? did they release a firm date of when this would happen.

"inquiring minds" would like to know,

 

[onlinpunit]

He is making sense because where it is currently it should have been there 15 years ago.

I would love to see how they manage to push out 50 jets even if they have 50 engines sitting around.

Not denying that the project is late by miles. However the current capacity is 24 + 12 per year..

 

[Yasser76]

I said this a year ago, 2025 will see the end of this project, former CAS stating this means this view is probably pretty common amongst top IAF brass. this will give the current CAS "Air cover" to cancel it.....if he can put down the Scotch for more then 20 minutes

 

[SABRE]

I said this a year ago, 2025 will see the end of this project, former CAS stating this means this view is probably pretty common amongst top IAF brass. this will give the current CAS "Air cover" to cancel it.....if he can put down the Scotch for more then 20 minutes

IAF has never been a fan of anything that comes out of DRDO/HAL. But Tejas will not see its end so easily, especially not under the BJP. It has been marketed too much as India's pride and prestige to general public. Anyone seeking to do away with it might be become public enemy.

 

[Yasser76]

IAF has never been a fan of anything that comes out of DRDO/HAL. But Tejas will not see its end so easily, especially not under the BJP. It has been marketed too much as India's pride and prestige to general public. Anyone seeking to do away with it might be become public enemy.

Yes, that is a good point, too much ego has been invested in it, too big to fail I guess, well, will be fun seeing it limp on like a 3 legged Cheetah....

 

[SABRE]

Yes, that is a good point, too much ego has been invested in it, too big to fail I guess, well, will be fun seeing it limp on like a 3 legged Cheetah....

I suspect that IAF will have it "limp" - example slow its induction down - to preserve budget and seek alternatives.

 

[Corax]

I said this a year ago, 2025 will see the end of this project, former CAS stating this means this view is probably pretty common amongst top IAF brass. this will give the current CAS "Air cover" to cancel it.....if he can put down the Scotch for more then 20 minutes

Don't think it'll die, too many babu jobs on the line, it'll remain a white (or should that be blue) elephant.