News Brief
Tejas Delays Due To Technical Issues, Now Sorted; Deliveries To Begin Soon, Says HAL Chairman
The HAL Tejas light multirole fighter. (Representative Image).
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace manufacturer responsible for producing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, has assured that deliveries to the Indian Air Force (IAF) will commence soon, following the resolution of technical challenges, reported PTI.
Technical Issues Addressed, Says HAL Chairman
Speaking at Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru on Tuesday (11 February), HAL Chairman and Managing Director D K Sunil emphasised that delays were not due to inefficiencies, but rather technical hurdles that have now been overcome.
“The delay is not simply attributable to just I would say laziness on part of the industry. There have been technical issues, which have now been sorted out. The concern of the Air Chief is understandable,” Sunil was quoted as saying in the PTI report.
Commitment to Meeting Delivery Schedules
His remarks come in response to Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal A P Singh expressing concerns over the delayed delivery of Tejas aircraft in a recently circulated video.
“We have now promised that we will have all the structures ready. We have conveyed this. We have had multiple meetings at different levels. We have conveyed this. We are building this. And once the engines are available, this will start rolling out. I think the concern is well understood. There is no doubt on that and as a team, all of us are focused...we will start delivering the aircraft,” he added.
The LCA Tejas, a fourth-generation fighter jet developed by HAL, is a crucial component of India’s indigenous defence modernisation program. The aircraft is designed to replace the aging fleet of MiG-21s.
