Why HAL's Tejas Fighter Jets Face Severe Delays

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is currently experiencing severe delays in delivering the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fighter jets to the Indian Air Force. Despite successfully scaling domestic manufacturing and structurally completing nearly two dozen Tejas Mk1A airframes, these advanced jets remain grounded. The primary bottleneck is a critical shortage of F404-IN20 turbofan engines, which are manufactured by the American firm GE Aerospace. Ongoing global aerospace supply chain disruptions and critical component shortages have drastically hindered GE's ability to fulfill its contracted delivery commitments to India. Consequently, HAL currently possesses a growing, engine-less fleet parked on its tarmac. Furthermore, the production crisis extends beyond mere engine delivery. Once the delayed powerplants finally arrive, each Tejas aircraft must still undergo mandatory, time-consuming ground testing, software integration, and captive carry flights to ensure safety and functionality, ultimately compounding the overarching timeline setbacks for India's strategic defense upgrades.