The induction of the new indigenous Tejas Mark-1A jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been delayed due to issues in the supply of engines by General Electric (GE), giving another blow to its already depleted operational capabilities, TOI reported.
The delivery of the jets, initially scheduled for 2024-25, will now see only two to three jets instead of the promised 16, according to TOI sources.
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) faces a delay of around two years as GE has promised to supply the engines by March 2025. The deal for these 83 single-engine jets was signed in February 2021 and amounted to Rs 46,898 crore.
The delay was also flagged by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during their recent US visits.
“As per terms of the $716 million contract, HAL could invoke penalty clauses in the case. But it’s an ongoing logistical issue that can be worked out between GE and HAL. GE says it has faced supply chain issues from one of its South Korean suppliers,” TOI quoted a source as saying.
HAL is also finalizing negotiations with GE for the co-production of the more powerful GE-F414 aero-engines in India, for the planned Tejas Mark-II fighters. This deal includes 80% transfer of technology and is estimated at around $1 billion, with expectations to finalize the contract within this fiscal year.
The Tejas Mark-1A jets currently face delays in weapons integration and the incorporation of an Israeli radar system. This delay impacts the IAF's plan to induct 180 Tejas Mark-1A and at least 108 Mark-2 jets over the next 15 years. The IAF has 30 fighter squadrons against the authorized 42.5 needed to manage threats from China and Pakistan.
Additionally, the IAF's long-standing plan for 114 new 4.5-generation multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), estimated at Rs 1.25 lakh crore, remains pending. The controversy over the Rs 59,000 crore deal for 36 Rafale fighters signed with France in 2016 has influenced the government’s approach to the MRFA procurement.
“The Rafale controversy even reached the Supreme Court, with officials being summoned and documents connected to national security being shared. In the MRFA case, the procurement model and the level of indigenization are being finalized to break the logjam,”said a TOI source.
HAL states it has the capacity to manufacture 24 Tejas Mark-1A fighters annually, with plans to increase production to 36 jets per year. India also plans to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter, the advanced medium combat aircraft ( AMCA), with an approved development cost of over Rs 15,000 crore.
(With inputs from TOI)
The delivery of the jets, initially scheduled for 2024-25, will now see only two to three jets instead of the promised 16, according to TOI sources.
Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) faces a delay of around two years as GE has promised to supply the engines by March 2025. The deal for these 83 single-engine jets was signed in February 2021 and amounted to Rs 46,898 crore.
The delay was also flagged by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during their recent US visits.
“As per terms of the $716 million contract, HAL could invoke penalty clauses in the case. But it’s an ongoing logistical issue that can be worked out between GE and HAL. GE says it has faced supply chain issues from one of its South Korean suppliers,” TOI quoted a source as saying.
HAL is also finalizing negotiations with GE for the co-production of the more powerful GE-F414 aero-engines in India, for the planned Tejas Mark-II fighters. This deal includes 80% transfer of technology and is estimated at around $1 billion, with expectations to finalize the contract within this fiscal year.
The Tejas Mark-1A jets currently face delays in weapons integration and the incorporation of an Israeli radar system. This delay impacts the IAF's plan to induct 180 Tejas Mark-1A and at least 108 Mark-2 jets over the next 15 years. The IAF has 30 fighter squadrons against the authorized 42.5 needed to manage threats from China and Pakistan.
Additionally, the IAF's long-standing plan for 114 new 4.5-generation multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), estimated at Rs 1.25 lakh crore, remains pending. The controversy over the Rs 59,000 crore deal for 36 Rafale fighters signed with France in 2016 has influenced the government’s approach to the MRFA procurement.
“The Rafale controversy even reached the Supreme Court, with officials being summoned and documents connected to national security being shared. In the MRFA case, the procurement model and the level of indigenization are being finalized to break the logjam,”said a TOI source.
HAL states it has the capacity to manufacture 24 Tejas Mark-1A fighters annually, with plans to increase production to 36 jets per year. India also plans to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter, the advanced medium combat aircraft ( AMCA), with an approved development cost of over Rs 15,000 crore.
(With inputs from TOI)
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