Tejas Mk1A Delayed Again As GE Delivers Only 6 Engines Against Target

The Tejas Mk1A fighter programme continues to face delays, with engine supply emerging as the primary bottleneck. GE Aerospace has confirmed the delivery of the sixth F404-IN20 engine to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, but this falls significantly short of the revised target of 11 engines for the financial year. The pace of delivery remains insufficient to support HAL’s planned production schedule, directly impacting aircraft rollout timelines. The first batch of Tejas Mk1A fighters, initially expected in March 2024, is now projected for mid-2026, marking a delay of over two years. The F404-IN20 engine is a critical imported component, and disruptions in its supply chain, partly attributed to global geopolitical tensions, have exposed structural vulnerabilities in the programme. While the latest delivery represents incremental progress, it does little to alter the overall trajectory. The Tejas Mk1A programme now hinges on synchronising engine availability, production, and certification timelines, a challenge that will define its pace in the coming months.