The Indian Air Force has 42 fighter jet squadrons authorised, with the objective of securing the borders with Pakistan and China. However, the number of IAF fighter jet squadrons has fallen to around 29. In the event of a two-front war situation, the circumstances could become serious. Against this backdrop, India has launched the AMCA project to develop a next-generation fighter jet, while work on developing combat aircraft under the Tejas series is also continuing.

India has also approved a proposal to purchase more than 100 Rafale fighter jets from France to maintain the strength of the Air Force. Some of these aircraft will be received as fly-away, fully assembled aircraft, while others will be manufactured in India. At the same time, the purchase of a fifth-generation aircraft is also being considered.

Amid these efforts to strengthen the Air Force's fighter fleet, HAL has provided a significant update on the LCA Mk-1A programme. After multiple delays, the company has indicated that deliveries of the aircraft to the Indian Air Force are expected to begin around December.

Ravi K. said the aircraft is currently undergoing trials to resolve some radar-related issues and complete weapon-system integration. HAL is targeting completion of these remaining issues within about a month. The HAL chairman said the aircraft is undergoing "last-mile correction" work.

According to a Hindustan Times report, Ravi said some radar-related problems still need to be resolved. In addition, trials of the weapon system remain pending. Once these processes are completed, the LCA Mk-1A will be ready for delivery. He said the first deliveries are likely to begin around December.

The LCA Mk-1A is playing an important role in the Indian Air Force's plan to strengthen its fighter jet fleet. The Air Force has signed two separate deals for the Mk-1A, covering a total of 180 aircraft at a combined cost of around Rs 1.1 lakh crore.

The first deal, signed in February 2021, was for 83 aircraft. A second deal for an additional 97 aircraft was signed in September 2025. HAL has set a target of supplying around 10 Mk-1A aircraft during financial year 2026-27.

According to HAL Managing Director Ravi, the company has received 10 engines from GE Aerospace, while 27 jet airframes are in a ready state. He said the available engines would allow 10 aircraft to be delivered.

The Mk-1A programme has already faced delays. Under the first 2021 deal, deliveries of the initial aircraft were scheduled to be completed by March 2024. However, the deadline could not be met due to several factors, including delays in the supply of F404-IN20 engines from GE Aerospace and delays in the required certification.

HAL has said that if the supply of engines continues consistently, it can complete the existing order within three to four years. The company has adopted a strategy of continuing production even amid engine shortages. According to HAL, airframes are being manufactured even when engines are unavailable so that the aircraft can be completed once the engines are received.

HAL has an annual production capacity of 24 Mk-1A aircraft. The 97-aircraft deal signed in 2025 also includes a plan to increase the share of indigenous content. These aircraft will include systems such as the indigenous Uttam AESA radar and the 'Swayam Raksha Kavach' electronic warfare system.

According to HAL, around 40 imported systems used in the first 83 aircraft will be indigenised during the second order.

Meanwhile, the LCA Mk-2 programme is also moving forward. According to HAL, the aircraft's structure has been completed, with the front, centre and rear fuselage sections joined together. The company is targeting the first ground run by March 2027 and the first flight later in the same year. However, the formal contract for the Mk-2 is yet to be signed.

With the LCA Mk-1A programme now entering its final stages of radar, weapon-system and last-mile corrections, HAL's December delivery target marks a key point in the effort to add indigenous fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force's operational fleet.