The Indian Air Force (IAF) will receive twelve Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS MK-1A fighter jets from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 2025; the first aircraft is anticipated to arrive in the coming months. The important F404-IN20 engines required for the domestic fighter program are now being supplied by GE Aerospace. The delivery schedule is in keeping with HAL’s rising order book and production capacity, which reflects the increasing strength of India’s defense manufacturing industry in the face of regional security threats.
With plans to finish delivering 12 aircraft by 2025, HAL has stated that it anticipates delivering the first TEJAS MK-1A to the Indian Air Force in the coming months. This important milestone comes after GE Aerospace began delivering engines, delivering the first F404-IN20 engine to HAL officials in the US on March 25, 2025. After inspections and testing, the engine was anticipated to reach India in April 2025, signaling a crucial stage in the manufacturing of the aircraft.
These engines are the result of GE Aerospace’s second significant agreement with HAL for the TEJAS program. The production line was shut down since there were no further orders after GE delivered 65 F404-IN20 engines for the previous TEJAS MK-1 program. Due to supply chain problems brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the current order of 99 engines, which was placed in 2021, required restarting the idle production line. GE Aerospace was able to meet HAL’s 2025 engine requirement by effectively reviving the manufacturing process in spite of these challenges.
The restart of engine manufacturing required intricate supply chain management and logistics. After a five-year hibernation, GE Aerospace’s General Manager of Combat and Trainer Engines, Shawn Warren, stated that the corporation needed to reconnect with its worldwide supply chain. In order to address the difficulties caused by pandemic-related delays, GE adopted Flight Deck, a unique lean operating model that assisted in finding ways to enhance turnaround times and production processes. HAL’s aircraft production schedule has been supported by GE’s ability to fulfill its delivery obligations thanks to this strategic approach.
The TEJAS MK-1A is a major improvement over earlier iterations of the domestic fighter aircraft. It is categorized as a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet with increased operational efficiency, higher combat capability, and improved survivability. The aircraft is positioned as a powerful addition to the Indian Air Force’s fleet because to its superior self-defense capabilities and advanced radar systems.
The baseline TEJAS MK-1, which is currently in use by the IAF, is significantly less capable than the MK-1A model thanks to these technological improvements. The aircraft satisfies the demands of modern warfare thanks to the integration of upgraded maintainability features, armament systems, and modern avionics. The TEJAS MK-1A is a major advancement in India’s aerospace capabilities as the nation continues to prioritize domestic defense manufacture under its Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) plan.
Over the previous year, HAL’s order book has grown remarkably. As of April 2025, HAL’s order book is valued at almost ₹1.89 lakh crore, which is a significant rise from ₹94,000 crore during the same period last year, according to the statistics supplied in the user query. But according to earlier estimates from February 2025, HAL’s order book should reach about ₹2.5 lakh crore by the end of the fiscal year 2025–2026.
Dr. DK Sunil, HAL’s Chief Managing Director, had said in February 2025 that the business was aggressively seeking large contracts, such as orders for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) and 97 TEJAS MK-1A fighter fighters. It was anticipated that these two orders alone will increase HAL’s order book by ₹1,30,000 crore. With an expected ₹1,65,000 crore in order accretion over the next 12 months, HAL was also expecting orders for Su-30 upgrades, Indian Multi-Role Helicopter design and development, and routine Repair and Overhaul orders.
Despite the global economic concerns, HAL anticipates revenue growth of 8 to 10 percent for the fiscal year 2025–2026. Contracts for a further 97 TEJAS MK-1A fighter fighters, 143 Advanced Light Helicopters for the Indian Air Force, and 10 Dornier aircraft for the Indian Navy are among the major orders the business expects to place in the near future. The anticipated value of these prospective orders is ₹1.25 lakh crore, which will improve HAL’s financial standing even more.
In response to the growing demand for its helicopters and aircraft, HAL has set up specialized production lines for the TEJAS MK-1A in Nashik and Bengaluru. Achieving the necessary production rates to fulfill both present and future orders depends on this dual-facility strategy. With a focus on improving production capacities at its Nashik site in Maharashtra, the company has acknowledged the need to increase its manufacturing capacity.
HAL’s anticipated capital expenditure of ₹14,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore over the next five years, or an annual investment of roughly ₹3,000 crore, demonstrates its commitment to increasing production. HAL said in February 2025 that it was already spending ₹2,500 crore a year on research and development, and this investment supports that claim. These significant expenditures demonstrate HAL’s commitment to bolstering domestic aerospace production in India and guaranteeing the military’s timely delivery of defense equipment.
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An important turning point in India’s domestic defense production capabilities will be reached in 2025 when HAL is scheduled to deliver 12 TEJAS MK-1A fighter planes to the Indian Air Force. HAL has been able to move forward with its manufacturing plan since GE Aerospace started delivering engines, and the first aircraft should be available in the next two months. This breakthrough takes place in the context of HAL’s ambitious plans for manufacturing expansion and its growing order book, which has doubled in value in the last year.
The geopolitical situation has been favorable for defense sector companies, including HAL, especially in light of the recent Pahalgam terrorist assault and India’s Operation Sindoor that followed.
HAL’s position as the leading aerospace and defense production company is still essential to the country’s technological development and security infrastructure as India continues to place a high priority on self-reliance in defense manufacturing. HAL seems well-positioned to fulfill the growing demands of the Indian armed forces and contribute to the expansion of India’s aerospace capabilities, especially with significant capital expenditures scheduled over the next five years.
