NEW DELHI: Dismissing speculation over delays in supplying the first batch of indigenous LCA Mk1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on Thursday said that five aircraft are fully ready for delivery and meet all agreed specifications.
In a statement, HAL said, “Five LCA Mk1A aircraft are fully ready for delivery, incorporating major contracted capabilities in accordance with the agreed specifications.”
The company added that nine more aircraft have already been manufactured and flown. “Once engines are received from General Electric, these aircraft will be made ready for delivery,” it said. HAL also noted that all identified design and development issues are being addressed on priority, and that it is in constant touch with the Indian Air Force to expedite deliveries.
So far, HAL has received five engines from GE. It said the supply outlook remains positive and is aligned with its production and delivery schedule. The company also expressed confidence in meeting its targets for the current financial year.
Alongside the LCA Mk1A programme, HAL said it is advancing several major defence projects, including the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), Tejas LCA Mk2 and the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), all of which are expected to enter production after 2032.
HAL received its first contract from the IAF in February 2021 for 83 LCA Mk1A jets, comprising 73 fighters and 10 trainers. This was followed by another contract in September 2025 for 97 additional aircraft — 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters — valued at over Rs 62,370 crore. Deliveries under these contracts are scheduled to begin in 2027–28 and be completed over six years.
The Mk1A aircraft feature more than 64% indigenous content and include 67 additional locally developed components. In total, the IAF has ordered 180 Mk1A jets in two phases.
Some aircraft were initially expected to be delivered last year, but the IAF insisted that HAL supply them in a fully operational configuration. On October 17 last year, HAL conducted the maiden flight of the first Tejas Mk1A prototype from its facility in Nashik.
At present, HAL’s fighter aircraft production capacity stands at 24 aircraft per year. At this rate, completing the delivery of all 180 Mk1A jets could take more than seven years, with the full fleet likely to be inducted by around 2033.
In addition to the Mk1A order, the IAF had earlier inducted 40 LCA Mk1 aircraft in IOC and FOC variants, taking the total number of contracted or ordered LCA-type aircraft across all versions to 220.
