Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has confirmed that General Electric (GE) will supply 20 F-404-IN20 engines for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A by FY 2026, alleviating previous supply chain issues that had constrained production. The IAF is now expected to receive its first batch of Tejas Mk1A jets by March 2026, marking a two-year delay since the initial flight of the production model due to persistent engine delivery challenges and setbacks in weapon integration trials. Despite the delays, HAL’s Chairman D.K. Sunil expressed optimism about ramping up production, highlighting that the new engines are essential for meeting the Tejas Mk1A’s enhanced thrust requirements, which will significantly improve the aircraft’s capabilities against potential threats. The overall situation underscores the importance of timely supply chain management and indigenization in bolstering the IAF’s current squadron strength, which stands at approximately 30 aircraft against a sanctioned requirement of 42. With commitments for a total of 180 Tejas jets under contracts valued at approximately ₹1.15 lakh crore, successful delivery and operationalization of these advanced fighters are critical for India’s defense strategy, particularly in the context of enhancing aerial combat readiness against regional adversaries.