There are 36 Tejas Mk1s in service, 14 more twin seaters to be delivered and 73 more single seat Tejas Mk1As on contract for delivery to the IAF with deliveries to start from February 2024.
That is 123 Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A on contract, bigger than the entire Malaysian Air Force.
Plus there are strong rumours from Aero India 2023 of another 50 Tejas Mk1As being ordered by the IAF. That would take the total figure to 173 Tejas Mk1/Mk1A fighters that will be in service eventually by 2030.
This is a disappointment, but hardly anything to worry about. There is more than enough domestic demand that will keep the Tejas production line humming till 2030.
Let Malaysia fly a LIFT like the FA-50 while the IAF focuses on the Tejas Mk1A as it's primary light fighter. Tejas Mk1 fighters just completed their first international exercise Desert Flag VIII in the UAE against the likes of the Mirage-2000-9, F-16 Blk 60, Rafale, F-16 Blk 52, Typhoon T2 and F-15E. A wealth of experience that the Tejas squadrons will be absorbing and using to define future capabilities for the type.
Ignore trolls, they've gotta do what they need to make themselves feel better given their nation's piss poor pathetic state and hopeless outlook.