New Delhi: It was like the Gordian Knot, a problem that couldn’t be solved. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is very short of fighter aircraft – down to 30 squadrons only.
And Hindustan Aeronautics or HAL wasn’t able to supply the indigenously made Tejas fighters. This was because GE hadn’t delivered the 404 engines. And GE wasn’t delivering as it faced supply chain difficulties.
But now, there is light, some light at the end of the tunnel.
GE executives, sources said, were in New Delhi, meeting top defence ministry officials and in Bangalore, working with HAL executives.
Highly placed sources said GE has promised to deliver 3-5 404 engines by October and all of 8 by the year end.
So, with luck, ten Tejas fighters can be readied by end December.
GE has provided HAL with all of two engines so far. Ten new fighters will be of some comfort for the IAF.
Can HAL provide the aircraft right after the engines arrive. The answer is that they’re ready. All that is necessary is the engine and the fine-tuning after that.
Now, HAL has no shortage of orders for the LCA, the government having just asked for 97.
For that, the Nasik plant has been readied and the delivery schedule will no longer be 8 a year.