Overview

• Defence Secretary R K Singh announced the first Mk-1A induction as imminent this month, while multiple reports from HAL-linked sources point to an October handover.
• HAL has received only two GE F404 engines so far this year against a target of 12, with sources saying GE plans 3–5 more by October and eight by year-end.
• About 10 Mk-1A airframes are built and flight-tested, including one from the newly certified Nashik line, with formal induction pending a final weapons-firing test in September.
• Weapons integration has been completed for the Astra beyond-visual-range missile, ASRAAM, and laser-guided bombs, with software tweaks applied after an earlier trial issue.
• The initial 83-aircraft Mk-1A order is now paced to 2029 after a four-quarter slip, and reports say approvals for 97 more jets and 113 additional F404 engines await contract signatures.