Platform profile · India · Light multirole fighter · Indian Air Force
Mk1 remains operational; by 21 July 2026 the first 20 Mk1A jets were built and flight-tested but none had been handed over — a first delivery targeted for end-August to early September 2026 hinges solely on GE F404 engine supply, with seven production engines received.
As of 21 July 2026, the first Tejas Mk1A handover remained pending but close: HAL had completed manufacturing and first-phase flight testing of the first 20 Mk1A jets and had received seven production F404-IN20 engines, with deliveries — targeted for end-August to early September 2026 — hinging solely on GE engine supply. The Ministry of Defence signed a contract on 25 September 2025 for 97 additional Mk1A aircraft worth more than ₹62,370 crore, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027-28 and run for six years. The operational Mk1 and the more capable Mk1A are central to replacing retired MiG-21s and rebuilding IAF squadron strength against the combined China-Pakistan challenge. This page covers only Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A; the separately tracked Tejas Mk2 programme is outside its scope.
Updated 27 days ago Updated 21 Jul 2026
Verified figures
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13.2 m length × 8.2 m width × 4.4 m height ↗ |
| Maximum take-off mass | 13,500 kg ↗ |
| Powerplant | 1 × GE F404-IN20 afterburning turbofan ↗ |
| Afterburning thrust | 85 kN ↗ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 1.6 ↗ |
| Service ceiling | 50,000 ft ↗ |
| Flight-load limits | +8 g / -3.5 g ↗ |
| External stations | 9 hardpoints ↗ |
| Sensors and self-protection (Mk1A) | AESA radar with radar-warning and self-protection-jamming electronic-warfare suite ↗ |
| External armament | BVR and WVR missiles plus precision bombs across 9 hardpoints ↗ |
Spec sources: ddpmod.gov.in ↗ · hal-india.co.in ↗
Changelog
HAL chairman D.K. Sunil confirmed the first 20 Tejas Mk1A jets had completed manufacturing and first-phase flight testing on Category-B engines, with about 30 airframes built or in advanced assembly and seven production F404-IN20 engines received, leaving a first handover targeted for end-August to early September 2026 dependent solely on GE engine supply.
A technical snag was found during acceptance checks on the sixth F404-IN20 engine delivered to HAL, while the first five Mk1A fighters remained candidates for handover by year-end if IAF-requested modifications were accepted.
The IAF’s Tejas Mk1 fleet resumed flying after a grounding of nearly two months, once HAL resolved a software-related issue identified after the February runway accident.
HAL said it was imposing contractual penalties on GE Aerospace for delayed F404 engine deliveries to the Tejas Mk1A programme.
A Tejas Mk1 overran the runway during take-off at a forward air base after suspected brake failure, injuring the pilot slightly; the IAF grounded the single-seat Mk1 fleet for inspections.
HAL said five Tejas Mk1A aircraft were fully ready for delivery; a further nine were airworthy and two remained in production, although the IAF had not announced an acceptance date.
An IAF Tejas Mk1 crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Airshow, killing its pilot and prompting a court of inquiry.
HAL inaugurated its third Tejas Mk1A production line at Nashik and flagged off the first Mk1A produced there; the line was rated for eight aircraft per year, taking stated total capacity to 24 per year.
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth more than ₹62,370 crore for 97 Mk1A aircraft—68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seaters—with deliveries due from 2027-28.
The first series-production Mk1A, aircraft LA5033, completed an 18-minute maiden flight from HAL's Bengaluru facility.
HAL handed the first series-production Tejas twin-seat trainer to the Indian Air Force in Bengaluru.
4 tagged stories
HAL chief D.K. Sunil says the first 20 Tejas Mk1A jets have finished manufacturing and first-phase flight tests, with about 30 airframes built overall — leaving GE F404 engine supply as the sole barrier to an August-September handover.
GE Aerospace has handed HAL its seventh F404-IN20 turbofan, but with close to 30 completed Tejas Mk1A airframes waiting for powerplants, GE's promise of 20 engines by December 2026 is now the pacing item for IAF deliveries.
India's Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for proposals worth about Rs 52,000 crore on 3 July, a tri-service package weighted toward counter-drone weapons and layered air defence.
A delivered GE F404 engine has developed a snag and another has failed acceptance parameters. With six of 99 engines in hand, India's flagship fighter heads into a September review that will reset its delivery timeline.
