Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s strong statement at the Aero India show on Tuesday that he has “no confidence” in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL’s) ability to deliver the LCA Tejas Mk-1A on time has gone viral.
“I can only share our concerns and requirements… At this point, I have no confidence in HAL, which is not a good situation,” ACM Singh said during an inspection of an aircraft during the ongoing Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka India Air Force station.
The detailed conversation between the IAF chief and HAL staff was captured by a news platform.
Singh, who is the past too has raised similar concern over the Tejas LCA delay issue at public platforms, was heard virtually pulling up the HAL for their lacklustre attitude towards meeting the deadline for induction of the aircraft which is a worry given the depleted strength of IAF squadron fleet.
“This is our own company. Many of us, including myself, have served here… but I feel we are not operating with urgency. The attitude seems to be ‘it will happen,’” the Chief of Air Staff was heard telling HAL officials visible in the footage.
Before the IAF Chief’s indictment was out in the media, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr D K Sunil was asked to respond about AP Singh’s criticism over delay in the delivery of Tejas during the Tuesday’s press conference.
He told reporters; “the delay is not simply attributable to just I would say laziness on part of the industry. There have been technical issues which have got sorted out. The concern of the Air Chief is understandable.”
Sunil clarified that they have allayed apprehensions of the IAF during their internal meetings and assured that the Maharatna defence PSU would soon be delivering the fighter aircrafts.
“We have now promised that we will have all the structures ready. We have conveyed this. We have had multiple meetings at different levels. We have conveyed this. We are building this. And once the engines are available, this will start rolling out. I think the concern is well understood. There is no doubt on that and as a team, all of us are focused…we will start delivering the aircraft,” the CMD added.
One of the reasons for delay is US-based GE’s inability to deliver GE F-404 engines on time which is said to be due to global disruptions in supply chain arising out of Russia Ukraine war and Israel-Gaza conflict that has spilled over in its region. Now the HAL CMD said, the delivery of engine will start from next month.
Addressing a seminar in January, AP Singh, who has been involved in the project since early in his career, flagged that the IAF did not receive all 40 Tejas Mk1 jets ordered in 2010, with only 36 currently in operation.
