HAL Progressing Towards First Tejas MK-1A Fighter Delivery to IAF by March 31, Aims to Deliver Twin-Seater Trainer Jet Concurrently

Defense News ,India :- India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is getting ready to hand over the first TEJAS MK-1A fighter jet to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of March. This is what defense sources shared with ANI. They're also working hard to deliver the first twin-seater trainer version aircraft to the IAF as soon as possible.

The plan is to make sure these deliveries happen by March 31st. This is a big deal for the indigenous fighter aircraft project. It means the IAF will get an advanced aircraft, which is great news.

The Indian Air Force has already made a deal with HAL for over ₹48,000 crore to get 83 TEJAS planes. And they're looking to buy even more — 97, to be exact, for ₹65,000 crore.

HAL has been busy with ground trials, including slow taxi runs, to make sure everything is in order.

The TEJAS MK-1 aircraft were first used by the IAF in 2016. They're being used by two squadrons: the 45th Squadron and the 18th Squadron.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, the head of the Indian Air Force, called the clearance for the 97 TEJAS a very important moment. He said, "We already had 40 TEJAS of the original IOC and FOC version. So with this, in the long run, the strength of the Indian Air Force will grow to 220 TEJAS MK-1As, which will equip almost ten squadrons of the Air Force." This means the IAF will have a lot more TEJAS jets to use in the future.

The IAF thinks these 97 Light Combat Aircraft are perfect to replace the old MiG-series planes that are being phased out. They're a great fit to keep the strength of the combat aircraft in the force up.

HAL is gearing up to deliver the first TEJAS MK-1A fighter jet to the IAF by the end of March. This delivery is part of a bigger plan to supply the IAF with more advanced aircraft. With the upcoming deliveries, the Indian Air Force will have more TEJAS jets to replace its aging fleet and maintain its strength.