What Happened
India Faces Fighter Shortfall Despite Indigenous Aerospace Progress
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has completed the Indian Air Force’s original 40-aircraft Tejas Mk-1 order, but the milestone is overshadowed by the decade-long delay and the country’s widening fighter-squadron deficit. The Tejas programme has been plagued by production and delivery issues, and the delayed Tejas Mk-1A variant is crucial to addressing the Indian Air Force’s operational readiness. According to Defence Security Asia, the completion of the Tejas Mk-1 order marks a significant industrial milestone for India, but the country’s ability to deliver fully integrated aircraft at scale remains a major concern.