MUMBAI: The Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, a milestone in India's indigenous fighter jet program, will take off from Nashik on Friday, October 17. The aircraft is being manufactured by Hindustan Aero Limited (HAL). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will preside over the event. HAL's third production line for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) will also be inaugurated on the same day.

However, even as the Tejas Mk 1A fighter jet prepares to take off, the Indian Air Force is facing a crisis due to the supply disruption. The main reason for the delay in the program scheduled for last year was the late delivery of GE's F404 engine from the United States. So far, Hindustan Aero Limited has received only four engines. Two more are expected to arrive by the end of October. The company points to the disruptio

See Full Page