The Indian Air Force (IAF) has voiced concerns over delays in the delivery of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, a crucial component in addressing the service’s fighter squadron shortfall. At the Aero India show in Bengaluru, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) AP Singh openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace company responsible for manufacturing the jets.

During an inspection of an aircraft at the event, ACM Singh was heard telling HAL officials that he lacked confidence in the company’s ability to meet deadlines. "I can only tell you what our requirements and worries are… At the moment, I am just not confident of HAL, which is a very wrong thing to happen," he remarked, in a conversation captured on video by defence news channel NationalDefence.

Delays and Unmet Promises

ACM Singh criticized the apparent lack of urgency in production, saying, "We are just not in mission mode… everything is ‘ho jaayega’ [it will happen]." His primary concern was the delay in delivering the Tejas Mk1A jets, of which 83 were ordered in 2021.

"I was promised that by February, 11 Mk1As would be ready—minus the engine. And not a single one is ready yet… mazaa nahi aa raha hai yaar [not liking it]," he said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. HAL officials acknowledged his remarks and assured that the matter was being addressed.

Towards the end of his conversation, ACM Singh clarified that his criticism was aimed at systemic inefficiencies rather than individuals. "I cannot point a finger because three fingers are pointing at me… There are many areas where we have also gone wrong," he admitted, acknowledging how evolving requirements have affected production timelines.

Ongoing Challenges with Tejas Mk1A Production

This is not the first time ACM Singh has raised concerns about delays in Tejas jet deliveries. In January, he noted that even the 40 Tejas Mk1 jets ordered in 2010 had not been fully delivered, with only 36 currently in service.

The primary reason behind the delays in the upgraded Mk1A variant is a bottleneck in engine supplies from General Electric (GE), the US-based manufacturer facing supply chain disruptions. However, Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar has assured that efforts are underway to streamline engine deliveries by 2025-26.

With the IAF heavily relying on the Tejas Mk1A to replace its aging MiG-21 fleet, the ongoing delays have forced the service to postpone the phase-out of these older aircraft. ACM Singh’s remarks at Aero India highlight the urgency of resolving these production setbacks to strengthen India’s air combat capabilities.