HAL is set to deliver the first batch of eight TEJAS MK-1A fighters within 2-3 years, following a significant engine supply agreement with General Electric for 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines, which will support a total of 97 aircraft. This agreement, crucial for operational readiness, will enable HAL to stabilize production, with a phased rollout of subsequent aircraft expected to begin from the fourth year onward. Notable advancements in the MK-1A include improved avionics, enhanced maintainability, and mid-air refueling capabilities, addressing user feedback from the Indian Air Force. This initiative marks a strategic shift in India’s aerospace sector towards sustained military aircraft production, aligning with fleet modernization goals and bolstering indigenous defense capabilities under the Make in India framework.