The impact of the ongoing fierce war in West Asia is now being seen on the military modernization of the Indian Air Force. The supply of engines from America for India's indigenous fighter aircraft 'Tejas Mark-1A' has stopped. American company General Electric (GE) has informed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that due to the current global situation, the supply of engines cannot be provided at present.
Delivery of 9 aircraft halted due to lack of engines
HAL had promised to deliver 24 Tejas aircraft to the Air Force by March 2026. But due to non-availability of engines, the Air Force is currently unable to receive 9 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft, although they are ready.
Current status: 5 aircraft are fully ready and airframes of 19 aircraft are ready.
Deal details: India and GE have signed a contract for 113 engines at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore.
New deadline: This engine is now expected to be available by the end of the year.
83 aircraft orders and delay history
In February 2021, the Indian government had signed a contract with HAL for 83 Tejas Mark-1A at a cost of Rs 48,000 crore. However, due to continuous delays in the delivery of engines, not a single aircraft has been handed over to the Air Force so far. So far, only 4 engines have been received from GE. It is hoped that the delivery of all the aircraft will be completed by 2028.
Tejas Mark-1A: The Air Force's new Brahmastra
Tejas Mark-1A is a fourth-generation light combat aircraft (LCA), which will replace the aging MiG-21 fleet.
Features: It has upgraded avionics, radar system, and self-defense shields.
Deployment: These aircraft are planned to be deployed at Nal Airbase (Bikaner) in Rajasthan, near the Pakistan border.
Make in India: More than 65% of the equipment of this aircraft is indigenous.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed confidence in Tejas' capabilities by flying it in 2022. But the current halt in the supply of American engines has hit the Air Force's goal of increasing the strength of its 'squadrons'.
