HAL Set to Deliver Two Tejas Mark-1A Jets Next Month: Defence Secretary

Fast Summary

• Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is set to deliver two Tejas Mark-1A jets next month, said Defence Secretary R.K. Singh at the NDTV Defence Summit.
• The Indian government plans to sign a fresh contract with HAL for 97 additional Tejas jets post-delivery of these two.
• Concerns were raised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) over delays in past deliveries due to missed aero-engine supply deadlines by GE Aerospace.
• A previous ₹48,000 crore contract signed in Febuary 2021 with HAL was for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets; delivery delays continue impacting schedules.
• Last week,a government-approved procurement deal added another batch of 97 aircraft worth ₹67,000 crore.
• About 38 Tejas planes are already operational under IAF service; nearly 80 more are under manufacturing at present.
• Mk-IAs will replace aging MiG-21 fighters as IAF seeks to address the drop in its squadron strength from an official target of 42 to only 31 fighter squadrons currently active.
• Designed as multi-role warplanes, Tejas can undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance & strike operations.

Image Descriptions:

1. IAF’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas pictured during assembly/testing phase.
2. Additional close-up view highlighting technical features of the craft’s cockpit section.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The delivery timeline for HAL’s domestically manufactured Tejas aircraft has sparked concern among both defense officials and industry stakeholders due to recurring logistical hiccups such as delayed aero-engine supply chains from external U.S.-based providers like GE Aerospace. While agreements such as last week’s approval affirm India’s commitment towards ensuring indigenous aerospace utility platforms hold critical positions across upcoming cycles strengthening Military-Air capabilities long-term backup gaps toward transitional modernization phases simultaneously phasing-out older Mirage Sukhoii filling stop interval machines complex late state-reviewed parameters decision-saving खाली spot match roles tightly package tight objectives tailored….💯