Air Force Tejas Mk1A: News & Discussions: 02 January 2022

[uddu]

Everyone would love to have a more capable fighter in numbers with the IAF. Let the MK2 fly first, then we can order 97 more. Until then delaying/reducing MK1s make us end up with Na Ghar ka Na Ghat ka situation with neither MK1s nor MK2s.

[maitya]

We are almost there with Kaveri. The dry engine is now ready. Looks like it nearly matches the required thrust for Mk1A. But instead of testing it in the air, our people want to test it directly on Ghatak as per the report. I do not see a reason not to test it and address any issues that may arise actively. Develop a suitable afterburner, test it thoroughly until all issues are resolved, and build Mk1As and Ghatak as if there were no tomorrow. We are in control of the Western borders and most of the sea lines as well.

For many years, we had been hearing about the IAF's desire to have light, medium, and heavy fighters. Suddenly, there is no desire for a cheap, lightweight fighter. We are not hearing it at all. Why? There are no import options available, so we do not want any. MK1A with the Kaveri engine will be totally ours. We can make any number we can't and sell it to whoever we want. Imagine the export opportunities we can get with that.

One minor point that normally gets overlooked:
The Fan of KDE is a new design - it has higher degree of distortion tolerance, tailored for serpentine intakes of Ghatak - however std Kaveri doesn't require that much of distortion tolerance level.
So I'm wondering why can't a brand new Fan design (wide chord blades etc) is done, which pushes the Fan SPR to ~4 (from current 3.6). This will straightway, bump-up the dry-thrust levels, maybe around ~5-6% (of course, being ultra-low BPR design, the thrust increment will be modest, compared to say a 0.35 or 0.4 BPR design), which is like ~52KN (compared to 49.5KN now) dry.

Enough for Mk1/MK1A, when considered along-with the flat-rating feature - maybe they are waiting for Brahmos Aerospace to deliver an improved AB section etc.

[Bharadwaj]

DEF secy speaking at NDTV defence conclave: first two mk1a hopefully will be delivered sep end with full weapons integration. The order for 97 will ONLY BE SIGNED AFTER THIS MILESTONE.





https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/first-2 ... _topscroll

"The intent is to provide enough visibility to HAL to perfect this platform. About 38 are already in service, another 80-odd are being manufactured; 10 of them are ready, and two engines have been delivered so far. Hopefully, the first two of those are going to be delivered with weapons integration this September. We will do the contact signing next month," said Mr Singh during a fireside chat with Vishnu Som

[Cybaru]

Good to know 10 more can be in service soon!
Milestones are always good - help people drive product to completion.
By next time this year we should have more Tejas than Mirages! That will be a good day.

[Yagnasri]

which is like ~52KN (compared to 49.5KN now) dry.

Enough for Mk1/MK1A, when considered along-with the flat-rating feature - maybe they are waiting for Brahmos Aerospace to deliver an improved AB section etc.

We are not hearing anything about AB by Brahmos now. Hopefully they are working under the radar as of now.

There were also reports that the earlier Kaveri (or is it the Dry one designed for Ghatak?) had already exceeded expectations and was delivering 5.2 or something similar.

One more thing we hardly get to know is that the GE 404 lose some 10% of its performance levels under Indian conditions. We may need to consider minor modifications and extensive testing requirements for Kaveri, as well as suitable testing infrastructure, to ensure it meets the performance levels required for MK1A.

[pravula]

which is like ~52KN (compared to 49.5KN now) dry.

Enough for Mk1/MK1A, when considered along-with the flat-rating feature - maybe they are waiting for Brahmos Aerospace to deliver an improved AB section etc.

We are not hearing anything about AB by Brahmos now. Hopefully they are working under the radar as of now.

There were also reports that the earlier Kaveri (or is it the Dry one designed for Ghatak?) had already exceeded expectations and was delivering 5.2 or something similar.

One more thing we hardly get to know is that the GE 404 lose some 10% of its performance levels under Indian conditions. We may need to consider minor modifications and extensive testing requirements for Kaveri, as well as suitable testing infrastructure, to ensure it meets the performance levels required for MK1A.

Kaveri is flat rated, GE 404 is not...That 10% performance hit would not hit Kaveri afaik.

[suryag]

The only issue perhaps is the 100kg extra weight BTW, do we know if you need afterburner for clean configuration takeoff ? is AB needed ti take off only with full load ?

[pravula]

The only issue perhaps is the 100kg extra weight BTW, do we know if you need afterburner for clean configuration takeoff ? is AB needed ti take off only with full load ?

Depends on runway length, temp and altitude. With a long enough runway, I don’t think we need an a/b

[Rakesh]

Air Force to get its first 2 Tejas Mk-1As fighter jets by this month
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/i ... 2025-09-02
02 Sept 2025

[Rakesh]

Air Force to get its first 2 Tejas Mk-1As fighter jets by this month
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/i ... 2025-09-02
02 Sept 2025

The first pair of Tejas Mk1A has now been delayed by a month. Follow on contract for F404 turbofans should be close to signing.

HAL to deliver 2 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft in October despite engine delays
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/h ... 2025-09-04
04 Sept 2025

This month, two additional engines are expected from the US to support the production line. Besides the F404 engines, ten F414 engines have already been delivered, while the broader deal for 113 F404 engines for an additional 97 Tejas Mk-1As has been concluded, with cost negotiations wrapped up.

[uddu]

All LCA MK1A Update: Sept 2025

[Prem Kumar]

The first pair of Tejas Mk1A has now been delayed by a month. Follow on contract for F404 turbofans should be close to signing.

HAL to deliver 2 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft in October despite engine delays
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/h ... 2025-09-04
04 Sept 2025

At this point, HAL Chairman D K Sunil should just resign! He & his useless predecessors have been kicking the can down the road for years now. He tried to take the high road when ACM Singh accused them of delays, stating that HAL will reply by its performance.

Some performance this!

[Bharadwaj]

The report says there was a software issue which occurred on previous firing trial (guessing it must have been March/April). This has now been fixed. Final tests with Astra, ASRAAM and LGB to happen soon.

HAL to deliver first two Tejas Mark-1A jets next month but contingent on weapon trials
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... 701568.cms
04 Sept 2025

[Rakesh]

At this point, HAL Chairman D K Sunil should just resign! He & his useless predecessors have been kicking the can down the road for years now. He tried to take the high road when ACM Singh accused them of delays, stating that HAL will reply by its performance.

Some performance this!

HAL Chairman will get something like this post retirement ---> viewtopic.php?p=2658421#p2658421

The MRFA (more Rafales) is coming! Meanwhile, DK Sunil is busy doing this (via HAL's official X account)....

https://x.com/HALHQBLR/status/1963591305725931718 ---> In a major boost to public healthcare in the field of CT Scan diagnostics, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, has provided a cutting-edge CT Scanner (128-slice) to King George's Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, today. The facility was inaugurated by Dr. D. K. Sunil, CMD, HAL and Prof. Soniya Nityanand, Vice-Chancellor, KGMU Lucknow, in the presence of Shri M. Satyanarayana, CEO (AC), Shri Kanwal Krishen Bhat, GM (AD, Lucknow) and Shri S S Chandel GM (HR) along with Prof. Anit Parihar, HOD, Radiodiagnosis, Prof. Ashish Kumar, HOD, Orthopaedic Surgery and Prof. Kumar Shantanu, MS-OSSB of KGMU, Lucknow. Other Officers of HAL and Senior Doctors/ Faculties were also present. The 128-Slice CT Scanner is an advanced dual-energy scanner that operates by rotating around the patient, taking multiple images from various angles to provide a comprehensive view that aids in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. This initiative will enhance and improve diagnostics in trauma, neuro, ortho, and emergency care, leading to more precise treatment. The Vice-Chancellor and other senior Doctors at KGMU, Lucknow, appreciated HAL’s efforts as a proud moment of collaboration between aerospace excellence and medical innovation. @DefProdnIndia @SpokespersonMoD @kgmu_medical

[Rakesh]

Air Force To Start Inducting Tejas Mk-1A Fighters Shortly

Before October ends, HAL will deliver two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force, part of a major push to strengthen air defence. The government has approved the purchase of 97 more jets worth ₹67,000 crore, boosting the 'Make in India' initiative. With 38 in service and 80 in production, HAL’s order book will be full for years. Despite engine delays, officials are confident in integrating advanced systems. The Tejas will help close the squadron gap, enhancing operational readiness and multi-role combat capability.

[ashishvikas]

After handing over the first centre fuselage to HAL on May 30, 2025, the company manufactured and delivered the second fuselage in a record time of just three months. It planned to deliver three more centre fuselages by the end of this financial year, which will further enhance HAL’s production capacity.

Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies delivers second centre fuselage for Tejas Mk1A in record three months
https://telanganatoday.com/hyderabad-ba ... ree-months
05 Sept 2025

[ashishvikas]

GE misses LCA engine delivery in August; LCA Tejas Mk-1A production yet to pick up speed

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/ge-m ... ed-3714317


General Electric has missed its schedule of delivering two F-404 engines in August

US major has promised to supply 3-5 engines by October, but fingers are crossed

[S_Madhukar]

How come GE behaves like HAL
Is it because they activated the old line and new workers QC issues or a tariff game again… Hope HAL isn’t emboldened by this example and offer same excuses

[Manish_P]

So who will say 'Mazaa nahin aa raha hai' to the GE CEO ?

[uddu]

We have ample time to fit Uttam AESA and Brahmos NG before GE Engines arrive.