HAL probes 199 forged test reports in Tejas Mk-1A supplies
Forgery allegations: HAL accused TEC Aero Devices of submitting 199 falsified test reports for Tejas Mk-1A components between February and September 2023.
Audit revelations: An HAL audit confirmed Axis Inspection Solutions had not issued any of the reports, and its name and signatures were misused.
Action taken: HAL debarred the supplier until March 2027, withheld payments, and filed an FIR under cheating and forgery charges.
HAL lodges FIR over forged Tejas Mk-1A test reports
HAL filed a criminal complaint on June 2 against Hyderabad-based TEC Aero Devices, naming CEO M. Sivarama Prasad, after discovering 199 allegedly forged test reports linked to the LCA Tejas Mk-1A programme. The reports, covering parameters like tensile strength and microstructure, were required for bulk supply acceptance. Police have registered the case under IPC sections for cheating and forgery, and the matter is under investigation.
Audit uncovered 199 fabricated reports
HAL’s quality control audit at Axis Inspection Solutions on November 29, 2023, found none of the 199 test reports submitted by TEC Aero Devices had been issued by the agency. Axis confirmed its name and signatures were misused to fabricate the documents. The forged reports were submitted between February and September 2023, raising concerns over potential systemic lapses in supplier verification processes.
From supplier approval to debarment
TEC Aero Devices had initially secured HAL approval in 2022 to manufacture 35 categories of parts for the Tejas Mk-1A after submitting compliant samples and documents. Following the audit findings, HAL issued a show-cause notice, rejected the supplier’s plea for condonation, and debarred it from business until March 10, 2027. HAL also withheld all pending payments and removed the firm from its approved vendor list. Moneycontrol + 3
Why the FIR matters for India's fighter jet programme
The alleged forgery affects the integrity of the Tejas Mk-1A supply chain, a key indigenous defence project meant to replace the IAF’s MiG-21 fleet. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in quality control and supplier oversight in high-stakes defence manufacturing. Investigators will need to determine if the lapse was isolated or indicative of broader systemic risks in India’s aerospace procurement ecosystem.
