HAL Chief Ravi Kota Outlines Roadmap Beyond Tejas Engine Delays

By R Chandrakanth

Farnborough. The delays in the delivery of the Tejas Mk1A have largely been driven by disruptions in the supply of F404 engines from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), GE Aerospace, but the situation is steadily improving, according to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director Ravi Kota.

Speaking during an interaction at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, Kota said the engine supply bottleneck has been the single biggest factor affecting the induction schedule of India’s indigenous fighter, even as HAL continued manufacturing aircraft to ensure production lines remained active.

“The delay has been entirely due to the non-availability of engines from the OEM,” Kota explained, adding that HAL has now begun receiving production-standard engines and is working closely with GE Aerospace to restore the delivery schedule. Regular fortnightly review meetings are being held between the two companies to monitor progress and minimise any further disruption to supplies.

According to Kota, HAL deliberately ensured that manufacturing activities did not slow down despite the shortage of engines. Several Tejas Mk1A aircraft have already been completed and are currently awaiting engine installation before they can be delivered to the Indian Air Force. As additional engines arrive, these aircraft can be handed over in quick succession, allowing deliveries to accelerate without waiting for fresh production.

Expanded Manufacturing Infrastructure

To ensure that production capacity does not become a constraint once the engine supply chain stabilises, HAL has simultaneously expanded its manufacturing infrastructure. The company now operates three Tejas assembly lines—two in Bengaluru and one in Nashik—raising annual production capacity to 24 aircraft. Further expansion is already underway to increase this capacity to 30 aircraft annually by 2027-28.

Kota emphasised that HAL’s focus is now shifting from development to sustained production at scale. With manufacturing facilities in place, he said the company’s priority is to maintain predictable delivery schedules while supporting the Indian Air Force’s long-term modernisation plans.

Alongside the Tejas programme, HAL is preparing to execute another important contract for the Indian Air Force—the production of 12 additional Su-30MKI fighters. Preparatory work has already commenced, with deliveries expected to begin during the financial year 2028-29. The aircraft will be delivered in the configuration specified by the Air Force while incorporating a number of indigenous upgrades aimed at enhancing operational capability and reducing dependence on imported subsystems.

Helicopter Segment Growth

The helicopter segment represents an equally significant production commitment for the company. HAL currently has confirmed orders for 171 Prachand Light Combat Helicopters, including the landmark contract for 156 helicopters placed jointly by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third year following contract signature and continue over the subsequent five years.

Meeting these production commitments will require far more than expanding HAL’s own manufacturing facilities. Kota said the company is increasingly relying on India’s growing private aerospace industry to strengthen the overall production ecosystem. Having successfully involved private industry partners in manufacturing major structural assemblies for the Light Combat Aircraft programme, HAL is now adopting a similar production model for the Prachand helicopter.

The objective, he explained, is not merely to increase manufacturing capacity but to create a stronger and more resilient domestic aerospace supply chain capable of supporting large-scale production over the long term. Building such an ecosystem, Kota believes, is essential if India is to sustain its ambitions of becoming a major aerospace manufacturing nation.

Tejas Mk2 Update

Beyond current production programmes, HAL continues to work on several next-generation platforms. Development of the Tejas Mk2, in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency, is progressing according to plan, with prototype manufacturing already underway. The first flight of the aircraft is targeted for 2027.

An equally important area of discussion has been engine technology. Kota confirmed that negotiations with GE Aerospace regarding the transfer of technology for manufacturing the more powerful GE414 engine in India continue to make progress. The programme is expected to become a significant milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen indigenous aerospace manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported propulsion systems, an area that has historically remained one of the country’s biggest technological challenges.

HAL’s future portfolio extends well beyond fighter aircraft. Development work continues on several helicopter programmes, including the Dhruv-NG, the Utility Helicopter Marine, the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter, its naval deck-based variant and the Light Utility Helicopter. At the same time, the company is investing heavily in indigenous engine development through programmes such as the Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine, Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine and the Aravalli engine, all intended to power future Indian-designed aircraft and helicopters.

Investments in Unmanned and Autonomous Systems

Recognising the changing character of air warfare, HAL is also investing in unmanned and autonomous systems. Kota highlighted the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) as one of the company’s most significant future programmes. Designed around the concept of loyal wingmen and autonomous combat platforms operating alongside manned fighters, the programme represents HAL’s response to emerging operational requirements. Complementing these efforts is the Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, which is being developed for logistics, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, particularly in high-altitude environments.

Supporting this expanding product portfolio is a major transformation in manufacturing. HAL is modernising its production facilities by incorporating digital engineering, robotics, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence and other Industry 4.0 technologies to improve efficiency and quality. Simultaneously, the company is expanding helicopter manufacturing infrastructure at Bengaluru and Tumakuru, with plans to double annual helicopter production by 2028-29. Production of AL-31FP engines is also expected to increase from 30 units annually to around 50 units by the end of the decade.

International markets are becoming another important focus area. Over the past decade, HAL has recorded exports exceeding ₹3,300 crore and is witnessing growing overseas interest in platforms such as the Tejas, Prachand, ALH Dhruv and Do-228. The establishment of the company’s first overseas office in Malaysia and ongoing efforts to secure international certification for several aircraft reflect HAL’s strategy of expanding its global presence while supporting India’s defence exports.

Summing up the company’s priorities, Kota said HAL has already demonstrated India’s ability to design and develop advanced aerospace platforms. The challenge now is to manufacture them consistently, deliver them on schedule and produce them in numbers that meet the operational requirements of the armed forces. With engine supplies beginning to improve, expanded production facilities already in place and multiple future programmes advancing simultaneously, HAL believes it is entering a phase where execution and timely delivery will define its contribution to India’s aerospace ambitions.