by Rahul Bedi

Series production of the Mk 1 variant of India’s indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) faces disruption following frequent modifications demanded by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to enhance the fighter’s capabilities.

The Tejas LCA has been jointly designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Sources within state-owned HAL told Jane’s that “the IAF’s inability to conclusively finalise air staff requirements [ASRs] for the fighter”, particularly the twin-seat trainer variant, has caused “extended delays” in the LCA’s assembly line, and led to increased production costs.

“Much of the delay is due to [the IAF] changing Tejas’ specifications,” HAL Chairman R Madhavan told the Business Standard newspaper on 11 January.