HAL to start trial of new Tejas fighter jet in January next year

State-owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will commence crucial trials of the new Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) in January 2025 including testing of indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range missile, aircraft’s local developed EW suite and Israeli Elta radar as it now looks at a 31 March delivery date for the first fighter jet to be delivered to the Indian Air Force after clearing the certification process, top officials with knowledge of the issue said on Tuesday.

At the same time, HAL is in negotiations with US company GE Aerospace to get the F404 engines for the new aircraft as soon as possible, top Indian officials visited the US earlier this month to see firsthand the 404 production line restarted at a factory outside Boston, the sources, who requested anonymity, said.

GE has not set a delivery date for the 99 engines ordered but US engine manufacturer in Astra missile informed the Indian delegation headed by HAL president DK Sunil that the production problems have been resolved and supply of the first units could begin in March 2025, HT reports.

Several LCA Mk-1As will be supplied to the Indian Air Force in reserve engines that will be swapped out with F404s as and when they become available from GE.

"Astra missile test and EWS testing, software updates on the new systems — those are the final touches before HAL will be able to send the first LCA Mk-1A to the IAF and the IAF wants the plane to be delivered in some capacity. There have been some delays in the project but HAL will be able and able to catch up in the production line when F404 engines come in," one of the officials mentioned above. Electronic warfare package includes the radar warning receiver and the sophisticated self-defence jammer.