HAL Says Five Tejas Jets Ready For Delivery But IAF Wants To Review Aircraft Project First
With multiple Tejas Mk1A jets declared ready by HAL, the focus now shifts to the Indian Air Force’s review process, as delivery timelines hinge on operational readiness and engine availability rather than production claims. Image courtesy: AI generated picture via DALL-E
India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) finds itself in a difficult spot once again, after the Indian Air Force indicated it would first review of the Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft before delivery.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr DK Sunil has in recent days maintained that five LCA Tejas Mk1A were ready for delivery, overcoming its aeroengine supply chain constraints.
According to Indian media reports on Wednesday (February 4, 2026), the IAF plans to hold the review of the Tejas Mk1A in May 2026 before deciding on accepting the aircraft from HAL.
This IAF “review” news break for HAL comes just hours after it was publicly known that the company had been knocked out of the Rs 15,000-crore project to make India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.
The IAF has placed orders for 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, in two tranches in 2021 and 2025.
The IAF had last reviewed the aircraft’s production and delivery schedules in December 2025, according to senior Defence Ministry officials.
Sunil had said during the recently concluded Wings India in Hyderabad between January 28 and 31, 2026, that HAL was ready to deliver the five Tejas Mk1A jets anytime soon.
Reacting to the media reports on the IAF review of Tejas project, HAL, in a statement on February 5, 2026, said it confirmed that five Tejas Mk1A aircraft were “fully ready” for delivery, incorporating major contracted capabilities in accordance with the agreed specifications.
Clarifying its position to all stakeholders, HAL said an additional nine aircraft have already been built and flown. “Upon receipt of engines from GE (American aeroengine maker), these aircraft will be made ready for delivery,” it said.
“All design and development issues identified are being addressed in an expedited manner. HAL is in active discussions with the Indian Air Force to deliver the aircraft at the earliest,” it said.
Noting that HAL had “received five engines from GE as on date,” the state-run company’s spokesperson said in the statement that “the supply position from GE is positive, and the future delivery outlook aligns with HAL’s delivery plans.” HAL assured that it would “meet the guidance projected” for the current Financial Year.
The IAF had expected deliveries of the Tejas Mk1A early 2025, and maintained that the delivered aircraft must be in fully operational configuration.
The flight test of the first batch of Tejas Mk1A were completed on October 17, 2025, at HAL’s Nasik plant, which is the company’s third production line for the aircraft after the two in Bengaluru.
The HAL is learned to have 15 Tejas Mk1A aircraft in advanced stages of production and is awaiting deliveries of the GE F404 aeroengines to get them fully operational for delivery to the IAF.
