Hal

Delay in Tejas delivery; IAF chief fumes, says 'I'm just not confident of HAL'

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has expressed growing frustration with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), citing a lack of confidence in the company due to its ongoing delays in delivering and upgrading the Tejas light combat aircraft. Singh's remarks, made during a video released at the start of Aero India 2025, emphasized the need for HAL to address the IAF’s concerns. This is not the first time HAL has faced criticism for not meeting timelines. The company has attributed these delays to sanctions imposed on India after the 1998 nuclear tests. HAL's Chairman, D K Sunil, assured that they would meet the timelines, including delivering at least 11 Tejas-Mk1A aircraft by March 2025 as part of an 83-aircraft contract. The Tejas project, which began in 1984, was primarily developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), with HAL becoming involved only after the 2014 Make-in-India push.