Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has announced that five Tejas MK1A fighter jets are ready for delivery to the Indian Air Force, marking a breakthrough after years of delays that had strained relations between the state-owned manufacturer and the country's military leadership. So I think we are on a good footing now and we will approach the Indian Air Force to take these five aircraft in this financial year," Dr Sunil said. Filling a Critical GapThe jets arrive at a time when the IAF faces its lowest squadron strength in six decades. Following the retirement of the MiG-21 fleet in September 2025, the air force is operating just 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42. The manufacturer expects to deliver 83 contracted jets by 2029, with the additional 97 aircraft order beginning deliveries in 2027-28.