Tejas Program Delays: Why is US Undermining 'Make in India' Initiative?

India imposed penalties on the US-based engine manufacturer, General Electric (GE), for failing to meet its contractual obligations on the timely delivery of F-404 engines for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk1A produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), according to Tuesday's report by The Hindu.

However, the situation involves political factors and is mainly a "purely logistical issue," sources indicate. Currently, GE has two engines on order for delivery to India for two jets that are expected to meet Indian Air Force (IAF) delivery targets within the current fiscal year.

The engines are now expected to arrive in March-April 2025, a two-year delay from the original contractual schedule.

Delays from the US are linked to the global supply chain, as expected sanctions against Russia will affect the supply of essential materials such as steel for engine production, which will ultimately affect the United States itself, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Anil Golani, Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies, told Sputnik India.

On the other hand, defence expert Qamar Agha believes that the US is to blame for the production delays of the Tejas MK1A.

"India must hold General Electric responsible for the timely engine deliveries, as their ongoing delays could lead to legal repercussions, particularly considering the engines' significance for the Tejas and national security in South Asia," he stressed in a conversation with Sputnik India.

The United States is engaged in a crusade against India or the Indian government, trying to dump various allegations on Indian leaders while persistently pressuring India and undermining its significant involvement in BRICS, Agha argued.

Historically, the US and the UK have relied on India's military. They likely view the South Asian giant as a key player due to its cutting-edge, modern armed forces.

GE's supply chain problems have caused delays in delivering F404 engines, which are crucial for the Tejas MK1A program. Agha added that selecting the right engine required years of careful consideration, and we are now facing supply shortages.

As far as supply chain security risks go, it's essential to recognise the complex global landscape shaped by 64 countries either preparing for or recently conducting elections, affecting alliances and treaties, alongside the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, Air Vice Marshal (Dr) Devesh Vatsa (Retd), Advisor Cyber Security & Critical Technologies at Data Security Council of India (DSCI) told Sputnik India.

"We must also consider the upcoming elections in the US as well, particularly with figures like Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, which could shift the diplomatic landscape, as the outcomes will significantly affect US-India relations," Vatsa pointed out.

This issue is going to delay a program that is essential for India, but Vatsa noted it shouldn't be seen as deliberate move, rather it might boil down to legitimate logistical challenges or necessary adjustments when you're integrating an engine — which was sourced from one company and is meant for another platform — into an aircraft. But in a world full of disinformation, we can never be entirely sure.

Over the past decade, the United States has increasingly aligned with India, primarily because of its vast market potential, he added.

While the HAL Tejas Mk2 is set to use the F414 engine under a co-production agreement signed during Modi's US visit last year, promising 80% technology transfer, this transfer has yet to materialise, potentially delaying both the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA projects, Golani highlighted.

Consequently, with the Indian Air Force up against a depletion of fighter aircraft strength, these timelines are likely to be negatively impacted, the marshal argued. While the delivery issues may cause some hiccups in operations, Vatsa affirmed that India is well-prepared and always puts national security first.

"We need to take calculated steps; if we can't produce something ourselves, we must source it elsewhere," he argued.

This doesn’t mean just waiting around for the plane to be completed; aircraft from another country won't be acquired if that means compromising national security, Vatsa insisted. Instead, what's crucial and necessary is to develop domestic capabilities through indigenisation and innovation while also utilising the global supply chain, he concluded.

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