The recent statements by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh at Aero India 2025 have raised serious worries about Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) development on the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS MK-1A. During the occasion, Singh publicly lambasted HAL for failing to meet promised timeframes, claiming that not a single aircraft was ready despite pledges that 11 would be finished by February 2025.
Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Singh was extremely dissatisfied with HAL’s performance, notably the delays in delivering the TEJAS MK-1A fighter planes. He remarked, “I have no confidence in HAL,” stressing the IAF’s dire predicament as its fighter squadron strength declines, now at 31 against a sanctioned 42.
Singh underlined that HAL had failed to produce promised aircraft, stating that he was told 11 TEJAS MK-1As would be ready by February but none were available.
His remarks were especially sharp, stressing a lack of trust in HAL’s operational preparedness and mission concentration.
Chief of Air Staff AP Singh expressed his dissatisfaction, adding, “I am simply not confident in HAL, which is a very bad thing to happen.” He emphasised that HAL’s presentation of aircraft labelled as MK-1A did not fulfil the necessary criteria, arguing that mere software updates or cosmetic modifications do not constitute true improvements.
The IAF head stated that the delays in delivering the TEJAS MK-1A planes had been a major source of dissatisfaction within the Air Force. He pointed out that HAL had failed to function in a “mission mode,” which he considered required for timely delivery.
In response to the criticism, HAL Chairman DK Sunil admitted the delays, but blamed them on supply chain bottlenecks, namely engine production concerns with General Electric. He guaranteed that efforts were ongoing to fix these issues and that deliveries would resume once the engines arrived. He stated that once the engines were delivered, output will speed. Sunil indicated determination to resolve these challenges and highlighted HAL’s commitment to meeting the IAF’s needs.
“Our goal is not to engage into a discussion about this. I’d rather focus the attention of my personnel on delivering the aeroplane. “Squabbling will not serve any purpose,” DK Sunil stated.
“We produced three MK-1A fighters and flew them with ‘Category B’ (reserve) engines at the airshow. The aircraft is completely hardware-ready, with a more powerful radar, a jammer, an electronic warfare suite, a new mission computer, and a smart multi-function display. Everything we promised is present and completely integrated. We are now in the final phases of launching the indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. “We’ll do it in the next 15 days,” the HAL chief stated.
Singh advocated for a “drastic change” in HAL’s strategy to better synchronise efforts and outcomes. He said, “Something must change. There has been some dramatic shift. “This requires a magic wand to align everything.”
These statements come against the backdrop of continued hurdles in India’s defence indigenisation initiatives, notably the TEJAS program. The IAF has bought 83 TEJAS MK-1A aircraft to replenish its fighter force, which has been decreasing owing to ageing aircraft. The Air Force’s present operational demands, which include fewer fighter squadrons, highlight the importance of these deliveries.
HAL has made some progress with prototypes and public displays at Aero India 2025, but the IAF chief’s remarks reflect deep frustrations with unmet expectations and highlight the critical need for improvements in production timelines and operational efficiency in India’s defence manufacturing sector.
