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| The Tejas Mk1 and the larger Tejas Mk2 fly in formation during a demonstration sortie, highlighting the evolution of India’s indigenous fighter aircraft programme aimed at strengthening the Indian Air Force’s combat capabilities. |
New Delhi:
India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme has evolved into one
of the most consequential defence initiatives in the country’s modern history.
With the Tejas Mk1 already inducted into
operational service and the Tejas
Mk2 progressing through advanced development, the programme reflects
India’s long-term effort to build a self-reliant, technologically capable air
combat ecosystem. Together, the two variants are expected to play a critical
role in reshaping the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) combat strength amid growing
regional security challenges.
Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured
by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL),
the Tejas programme was conceived to replace ageing legacy fighters while
reducing India’s dependence on foreign suppliers. Over time, it has matured
from an experimental project into a multi-variant fighter family with strategic
significance.
The LCA programme was launched to replace the
MiG-21 fleet, which formed the backbone of the IAF for decades but was
increasingly constrained by age, maintenance issues, and outdated avionics. The
goal was ambitious: to design and produce a modern, supersonic, multirole
fighter aircraft using indigenous technologies, including fly-by-wire flight
controls, composite structures, and advanced avionics.
Despite early delays and technological
hurdles, the programme gradually achieved critical milestones, culminating in
the induction of Tejas Mk1 into IAF service. The experience gained during Mk1
development laid the foundation for more advanced variants, including Mk1A and
Mk2.
The Tejas
Mk1 is a single-engine, lightweight, multirole fighter designed
primarily for air defence, interception,
and limited strike missions. Powered by the GE F404-IN20 turbofan engine, the aircraft combines
agility with modern avionics and digital flight controls.
One of the defining features of the Mk1 is its
extensive use of carbon composite
materials, which reduce weight while improving structural strength and
radar signature management. The aircraft’s delta-wing configuration provides
high manoeuvrability, making it well-suited for close-combat engagements.
Key operational characteristics of Tejas Mk1
include:
·
Maximum speed of approximately Mach 1.6
·
Payload capacity of around 3.5 tonnes
·
Multi-mode radar and modern glass cockpit
·
Compatibility with both indigenous and imported
weapons
The Mk1 is capable of deploying a range of
air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, including Astra beyond-visual-range missiles, short-range
infrared-guided missiles, laser-guided bombs, and precision strike weapons. Its
role within the IAF is largely focused on quick reaction alert (QRA) duties and point air defence
missions.
To further enhance combat effectiveness, India
approved the Tejas Mk1A, an
improved variant incorporating lessons learned from operational service. The
Mk1A introduces several key upgrades aimed at improving survivability,
situational awareness, and ease of maintenance.
Notable enhancements include:
·
AESA radar
for improved target detection and tracking
·
Advanced electronic warfare suite
·
Mid-air refuelling capability
·
Reduced turnaround time and higher
serviceability rates
The Mk1A is expected to significantly increase
operational availability while providing a more competitive capability against
contemporary regional fighters. Large-scale induction of Mk1A aircraft is seen
as essential for stabilising IAF squadron strength in the near term.
While Tejas Mk1 addresses the light fighter
segment, the Tejas Mk2, also
referred to as the Medium Weight Fighter
(MWF), represents a substantial step forward in size, power, and
mission capability. The Mk2 is designed to replace older medium-class fighters
such as the Mirage-2000, MiG-29, and
Jaguar over time.
Powered by the more powerful GE F414 engine, producing nearly 98 kN of thrust, the Mk2 offers a
significantly higher thrust-to-weight ratio. The aircraft features a redesigned
airframe with increased length, wingspan, and internal fuel capacity, enabling
longer range and endurance.
Planned performance and capabilities of Tejas
Mk2 include:
·
Maximum speed exceeding Mach 1.8
·
Combat radius of approximately 800 to 1,000 kilometres
·
Payload capacity of up to 6.5 tonnes
·
Standard fit Uttam AESA radar
·
Integrated infrared search and track (IRST)
·
Enhanced electronic warfare and sensor fusion
These improvements allow the Mk2 to perform deep strike, offensive counter-air, and air
dominance missions, roles that extend well beyond the scope of the
Mk1.
The Tejas Mk2 is expected to integrate a wide
range of advanced weapons, significantly expanding the IAF’s strike options.
Planned armaments include:
·
Astra Mk2
and Mk3 long-range air-to-air missiles
·
Precision-guided munitions
·
Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAAW)
·
Stand-off cruise missiles, including future
indigenous systems
With its higher payload and range, the Mk2 is
designed to operate as a true multirole platform capable of switching between
air combat and strike missions in a single sortie.
Although they share a common design lineage,
Tejas Mk1 and Mk2 are fundamentally different aircraft tailored for distinct
operational roles. Mk1 is optimized for cost-effective air defence and rapid
deployment, while Mk2 is designed for sustained, long-range operations in
contested airspace.
Defence analysts note that this two-tier approach
allows the IAF to maintain flexibility, deploying lighter aircraft for routine
missions while reserving heavier platforms for complex operations.
The simultaneous development of Tejas Mk1A andMk2 comes at a critical time for the IAF, which faces a persistent shortage of
fighter squadrons. Indigenous production provides a reliable pathway to rebuild
force levels without the uncertainties associated with overseas procurement.
From a strategic perspective, the Tejas
programme strengthens India’s ability to respond across multiple fronts while
maintaining operational independence. The Mk2, in particular, is viewed as a
vital bridge between existing 4.5-generation fighters and the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Beyond its military implications, the Tejas programme has played a pivotal role in expanding India’s aerospace
manufacturing base. More than 400 Indian
companies, including small and medium enterprises, contribute
components and subsystems ranging from avionics to composite structures.
The programme has helped develop domestic
expertise in:
·
Advanced flight control systems
·
Radar and electronic warfare technologies
·
High-precision manufacturing
·
Systems integration and testing
These capabilities are expected to support
future projects, including unmanned combat aircraft and next-generation
fighters.
Despite notable progress, challenges remain.
Engine dependence, production timelines, and the complexity of integrating
advanced sensors and weapons continue to test programme execution. However,
defence officials and analysts broadly agree that the overall trajectory of the
Tejas programme is positive.
As Tejas Mk1A production accelerates and the
Mk2 moves closer to its first flight, the programme is entering a decisive
phase that will shape the IAF’s combat posture for decades.
The Tejas
Mk1 and Tejas Mk2 together symbolise India’s transition from an importer of
fighter aircraft to a nation capable of designing, producing, and sustaining
advanced combat platforms. While each variant serves a distinct
operational role, both contribute to a unified objective: building a resilient,
self-reliant air force equipped to meet evolving regional and global security
challenges.
As India continues to invest in indigenous
defence technologies, the Tejas family stands as a cornerstone of that effort,
reflecting both strategic necessity and technological ambition.
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