Amid escalating tensions with China, Pakistan, IAF demands faster production of Tejas fighter jets

The Indian Air Force is urging a significant increase in the production of indigenous Tejas fighter jets to meet its requirement of 42 squadrons. The delivery of GE-F404 engines, crucial for Tejas Mark-1A fighters, is expected to begin in November. HAL needs to ramp up production to meet the IAF's demand for 300 Tejas fighters over the next 15 years.