The Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently operating with only 30 fighter squadrons, significantly below the required 42 to counter growing threats from China and Pakistan. In response, the IAF is urging the faster production of indigenous Tejas fighter jets and is exploring public-private partnerships to meet its goals.

General Electric, a US-based company, is expected to begin the delayed delivery of GE-F404 turbofan engines, which power the Tejas Mark-1A fighters, starting in November. This move follows discussions between India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US officials.

The IAF plans to induct around 300 Tejas jets over the next 15 years, but for this to succeed, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) must accelerate its production. Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari highlighted the importance of expanding production capacities and collaborating with private partners. "The way forward is to diversify production lines, have more public-private partnerships or joint ventures with private partners to have multiple weaponry lines as well as multiple production lines," he said.

HAL is set to receive two GE-F404 engines monthly from November, following General Electric’s commitment. However, delays in delivering the 99 engines, initially scheduled to start in March, have already impacted the production of the first 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets. These jets, contracted in February 2021 for Rs 46,898 crore, were supposed to be delivered between February 2024 and February 2028. An official indicated that the first jet, originally expected by February-March, may now be ready by November. HAL is likely to deliver only eight of the 16 jets planned for fiscal year 2024-25, which could affect future deliveries.

The defense ministry is also finalizing a contract worth Rs 67,000 crore for an additional 97 Tejas Mark-1A jets. Moreover, India and the US are nearing an agreement to co-produce GE-F414 jet engines for the Tejas Mark-2 fighters, with an 80% technology transfer, a deal valued at around $1 billion.

In August 2022, the cabinet committee on security approved the development of the Tejas Mark-2 jets, which will be equipped with GE-F414 engines. Six squadrons (108 jets) of this advanced variant are planned for induction.

Thus far, the IAF has received 35-36 of the first 40 Tejas Mark-1 jets from contracts signed in March 2006 and December 2010.

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