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

State-run plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to begin in January 2025 critical trials on the new Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A), involving the testing of the indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range missile, the aircraft's locally made electronic warfare suite and the Israeli Elta radar, as it now targets a March 31 deadline to deliver the first fighter jet to the Indian Air Force after completing the necessary certification requirements, senior officials aware of the matter said on Tuesday.

- Rahul Singh

Simultaneously, HAL is in talks with US firm GE Aerospace to expedite the delivery of the F404 engines for the new aircraft, with top Indian officials visiting America earlier this month to get a first-hand assessment of the 404 production line that has been restarted at a facility near Boston, the officials said, asking not to be named.

GE has not committed to a delivery schedule for the 99 engines on order, but the US engine maker indicated to the Indian delegation, led by HAL chief DK Sunil, that the production issues have been resolved and the supply of the first units could begin in March 2025, HT has learnt.

The first few LCA Mk-1As are expected to be delivered to the IAF with reserve engines that will be replaced with the F404s as and when GE begins supplying them.