Fresh worry for Indian Air Force: Engine supply woes force HAL to cut LCA Mk-1A, HTT-40 delivery targets for FY26, says report

HAL can currently build 16 LCA Mk-1As annually in Bengaluru, and the Nashik line will raise total capacity to 24 aircraft a year. (Photo for representational purpose only.)

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) expects to hand over five LCA Mk-1A fighters and three HTT-40 basic trainers to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of FY26, a significantly reduced target compared to the 10 fighters and 12 trainers it had earlier planned, a Hindustan Times report said on Friday.

The revised delivery outlook stems from slower engine supplies for both aircraft types and the need to complete key weapon trials for the LCA Mk-1A, senior officials told HT.

One of the officials cited by HT said HAL aims to recover lost time and meet its broader delivery milestones in the following years so that IAF's combat strength does not suffer.

The air force has already placed two major orders-180 aircraft in total-for the LCA Mk-1A, valued at Rs 1.1 lakh crore, with contracts signed in 2021 and 2025. The five fighters expected by March 2026 fall under the initial order of 83 jets, which will be delivered over the next four to five years. Supplies under the second order are slated to begin in 2027-28 and continue for about six years.

Hindustan Times noted that delays in the Mk-1A programme have been heavily influenced by the slow delivery of GE Aerospace's F404-IN20 engines. The US manufacturer has delivered five engines so far and is expected to ship another 20 next year after resolving supply chain issues. GE has also assured that deliveries will exceed 20 units annually from 2027 onwards.

The second official quoted by HT said LCA Mk-1A weapon trials are progressing well, with another round scheduled for late December. As engine supplies stabilise and new manufacturing facilities ramp up, HAL expects to accelerate production of both the Mk-1A and the HTT-40.

New assembly lines inaugurated by defence minister Rajnath Singh in Nashik for the LCA Mk-1 and HTT-40 will support this ramp-up. HAL can currently build 16 LCA Mk-1As annually in Bengaluru, and the Nashik line will raise total capacity to 24 aircraft a year. The company can also produce 20 HTT-40 trainers annually across its Bengaluru and Nashik plants.

The HTT-40 project, however, has seen setbacks as Honeywell struggles to supply TPE331-12B turboprop engines under a Rs 6,838-crore, 70-aircraft trainer contract.

As per Hindustan Times, the first engine-originally due in September-will now arrive in January 2026, with four more by March-end and subsequent deliveries at two per month. Two HTT-40s are already flying using older Category-B engines from prototype aircraft.

As highlighted by HT, the IAF currently conducts initial training for rookie pilots on the Pilatus PC-7 MkII before progressing to advanced platforms depending on their assigned streams-fighter, transport or helicopter.