India’s Tejas Mk‑1A is entering a decisive phase with weapon integration and firing trials in September for Astra BVRAAM, ASRAAM, and the French-origin Hammer, aligning the indigenous fighter with frontline IAF needs while prioritizing locally developed missiles like Astra to reduce dependence on imports. Despite headwinds from GE Aerospace’s delayed F404‑IN20 engine supplies—including a missed August batch—HAL expects to hand over the first two improved jets in October 2025 after trials conclude, a timeline echoed by senior defence sources and recent reports, underscoring production resilience amid supply chain turbulence. The private sector’s role is visibly expanding: Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies handed over the first Mk‑1A centre fuselage on May 30, 2025, followed by a second unit on September 4, enabling HAL to scale assembly through an additional de facto production line supporting Make in India. With Mk‑1A enhancements like AESA radar and electronic warfare suites progressing alongside deliveries planned through FY2026 under a stabilized engine pipeline, the program is poised to narrow the IAF’s squadron gap on Indian terms.