HAL to start trial of new Tejas jet in Jan

State-run plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to begin in January 2025 critical trials on the new Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A), involving the testing of the indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range missile, the aircraft's locally made electronic warfare suite and the Israeli Elta radar, as it now targets a March 31 deadline to deliver the first fighter jet to the Indian Air Force after completing the necessary certification requirements, senior officials aware of the matter said on Tuesday.

- Rahul Singh

NEW DELHI:

Simultaneously, HAL is in talks with US firm GE Aerospace to expedite the delivery of the F404 engines for the new aircraft, with top Indian officials visiting America earlier this month to get a firsthand assessment of the 404 production line that has been restarted at a facility near Boston, the officials said, asking not to be named.