Tejas Mark 1A Delivery: The Defense Ministry has expressed displeasure over the delay of more than two years in the delivery of Tejas Mark-1A fighter planes and is preparing to impose a penalty on HAL. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh asked to review the projects and set a practical deadline.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also reviewed the progress of HAL’s project on Monday. The review meeting was attended by Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani, Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and HAL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Ravi Kota and other officials.
Practical deadline should be fixed: Rajnath Singh
Defense Minister Singh is said to have told top HAL officials that practical timelines should be set for various major projects. Officials aware of the matter said that in the context of the delay in the supply of Tejas Mark 1A aircraft, Singh suggested that HAL and the Indian Air Force sit down and talk to resolve the pending issues.
18 to 24 aircraft may be available by the end of the year
- There has been a delay of more than two years in getting Tejas Mark-1A to the Air Force. The Air Force Chief has also expressed his displeasure on public platforms several times.
- A top official on the Tejas project said that some things have not been done to the complete satisfaction of the Air Force. It is expected that the shortcomings will be removed by the end of this year. 6 more aircraft should be ready this year. If the shortcomings are rectified then 18 to 24 aircraft can be available by the end of this year.
Delay even after getting the engine
The senior officer said that there are 6 aircraft, whose engines are ready, but that too is not ready for delivery. The delay in arrival of the engines is a different issue, but the engines which have arrived earlier. At least they should have been delivered. There will be a penalty for the delay.
About the authorPoonam PandeyPoonam Pandey is the Deputy Bureau Chief in the National Bureau of Navbharat Times. Covers BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and national politics as well as Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and defense issues. She has also been covering the country’s Parliament since 2014. Before Navbharat Times, she had worked in CNBC Awaaz and Aaj Tak news channel. After doing M.Sc in Organic Chemistry from Kumaon University, Nainital, he did PG Diploma in Radio-TV Journalism from IIMC (New Delhi Campus) and MA in Journalism from Kurukshetra University. Chevening Fellow, a fellowship of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK.… read more