IAF may get the LCA-Mk1A by mid 2025; Govt works on new procurement model for multi role combat jets

New Delhi: Despite a depleting squadron strength, the Indian Air Force is unlikely to receive any quick shot in the arm in the combat aircraft number as the first home-grown Tejas LCA Mk 1a may be delivered only by mid-2025 even as the government works on a new strategy to buy the long delayed multi-role fighters.

Stung by the Rafale case in the Supreme Court, the government’s aim now is to chalk out a new procurement strategy to avoid disclosure of sensitive details on national security in a court besides protecting the domestic industry.

"Last time, the government came out with a solution to the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) tender, stuck for years, by going in for a government-to-government contract for 36 Rafale. But a political debate erupted and officers had to present themselves in the Supreme Court and documents concerning vital national interest had to be shared. It became a political hot potato,” sources said here on Tuesday.

The long-awaited programme to buy 114 multi-role fighter aircraft has been stuck since 2018 when the Defence Ministry issued the request for information.

The new procurement model, they said, sought to end the acquisition logjam besides protecting the indigenous industry.

A repeat order to Dassault Aviation for more Rafale jets is unlikely as the company will take about ten years to deliver because of the pending orders. “The MRFA jets will have to be made in India,” they said.

With the MiG squadrons retiring one after another, the IAF has pinned its hope on quickly inducting the combat-ready Tejas LCA to improve its battle preparedness.

But the hopes have been dashed due to US major General Electric’s inability to supply the engines in time.

Sources said the GE tentatively conveyed to the government to start supplying the F404 engines around March, 2025. The contract is to supply 99 engines for the first batch of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets.

Once the engine comes, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru will take about one-two months to ready the first Tejas Mk-1A aircraft for the IAF. The Defence Ministry in 2021 signed a Rs 47,500 deal with the HAL to supply the fighter jets.

The two LCA squadrons at Sulur currently house first generation jets that are used primarily for pilot training.

Sources said HAL might consider invoking the penalty clauses against GE for not being able to supply the engines in time.

They, however, ruled out any pressure tactics from the US on the delayed supply, noting that GE was facing an issue with one of its suppliers, who was to provide a crucial component.

“The issue was taken up by the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister during their official visits to the US. We have told them to engage either with an Indian company (to manufacture the component) or transfer the technology to an Indian company for local production,” they said.

Despite having a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, the IAF currently has 31 squadrons including two MiG-21 units that will retire next year and the two LCA squadrons with the basic version of the indigenous jets.

Sources said commercial negotiations were on between GE and HAL to buy GE-414 engines for LCA Mk-II.