A key component of the Tejas’ propulsion system, the engine charge amplifier, had already been placed on the Danish government’s list of prohibited exports, threatening to halt manufacturing even though HAL was already facing delayed deliveries of GE-F404 engines from the US.
Copenhagen lifted its restriction following persistent diplomatic efforts by India, opening the door for the TEJAS MK-1A to be constructed without the charge amplifier.
Due to its importance, the precise item was not formally named, but the crisis surrounding it had begun in 2024 when aircraft deliveries were delayed.
Even though the delayed GE engines were finally starting to arrive, HAL had limited supplies of the part and was at risk of production lines coming to a complete stop.
HAL started indigenization efforts through a Bangalore-based company to lessen the situation. According to sources, India is currently receiving new shipments from Denmark and is working to become more self-reliant in the production of charge amplifiers locally, which will lessen its need on imports in the future.
Resolving this supply chain bottleneck is critical for the Indian Air Force, which ordered 73 TEJAS MK-1A fighters and 10 MK-1 trainers (a total of 83 aircraft) in 2021. Due to logistical and technical issues, none of the deliveries that were supposed to start in March 2024 have been moved to the IAF.
HAL is awaiting integration with engines and essential foreign components after producing ten aircraft so far. Officials now anticipate that the official handovers will begin in October 2025, when at least two aircraft will be delivered.
Concurrently, the Indian government has authorized the purchase of 97 more TEJAS MK-1A aircraft, bolstering the country’s fighter program and increasing the fleet’s potential size to 180 aircraft.
Despite ongoing delays and supply chain interruptions, this new order demonstrates New Delhi’s faith in the platform. As long as the United States clears the backlog of F404 engine deliveries, which has already slipped by over two and a half years, the TEJAS MK-1A project could gain new speed with Denmark’s export clearance restored and HAL’s concurrent effort for indigenization of the charge amplifier.
