Inside the state-of-the-art assembly hangar at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru, a fleet of India's homegrown Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) awaits liftoff. With airframes fully assembled, advanced avionics integrated, and missile systems primed for action, these indigenous fighters are primed for the skies. Yet, they remain firmly on the ground, victims of a frustrating delay in engine deliveries from the United States.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. DK Sunil pulled back the curtain on the snag. Pointing to a gleaming GE F404 engine that arrived just days ago from General Electric, he explained, "We will be fitting it onto the aircraft, and we are ready to deliver. Today, I think all the aircraft are built. The shortfall is on the engine, as you know, and General Electric has assured us they will speed up the process."

HAL had pledged to hand over 12 Tejas jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) this fiscal year, a crucial step in bolstering India's aerial defenses. However, with engines arriving at a snail's pace, Dr. Sunil tempered expectations: "At worst, we will be able to deliver 10 based on the current engine supply." He noted that minor hurdles with software and missile integration are being ironed out this month, but the core issue remains the overseas bottleneck.

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The Tejas program, a cornerstone of India's push for self-reliance in defense technology, has weathered its share of storms. A recent prototype crash during exercises at Pokhran in Rajasthan sparked safety fears, but Dr. Sunil dismissed any design defects: "It was a maintenance issue in a hard-to-access area. General Electric has provided special checks, and otherwise, the safety record has been excellent."

This impasse has amplified demands for an indigenous jet engine development, underscoring the risks of depending on foreign suppliers. "What one needs is an 'Atmanirbhar' jet engine; HAL has done its part," Dr. Sunil emphasized. The situation echoes earlier criticisms from IAF Chief Amar Preet Singh, who earlier this year lambasted HAL for sluggish timelines and called for tighter coordination. Despite HAL's production ramp-up, the foreign dependency exposes a glaring strategic chink in India's armor.

As the Tejas jets sit idle in the hangar, HAL's dedicated engineers stand vigilant. The message from Bengaluru is unequivocal: India's fighters are battle-ready to dominate the skies—if only those American engines would hurry up.

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