Indigenous LCA ‘Tejas’ MK-1A Fighter Set to Deliver First Batch of Fighter Planes to Air Force

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Feb. The Indian Air Force is all set to receive the first batch of Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft, an improved version of the indigenous LCA Tejas, this month. Bharat’s golden era in defense aviation is going to begin this month with the maiden flight of this 4.5 generation fighter jet. The first squadron of Tejas is set to be formed by April 01 at Bikaner airbase at Nal airport in Rajasthan on the western border of Bharat-Pakistan. A total of 180 Tejas aircraft are to be produced over eight years for the Indian Air Force. The Defense Ministry had finalized the deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on February 03, 2021, for 83 LCA Tejas MK-1A fighter jets. The first twin-seater trainer of this deal was handed over by HAL to the Air Force on October 4 last year. Keeping in view the need of the Air Force, after a long wait, the Central Government has approved the purchase of 97 Tejas MK-1A on November 30 last year. A total of 180 aircraft are to be produced after the deal for an additional 97 Tejas MK-1A is signed with HAL. HAL had set a target of producing 16 jets per year on receiving an order of 83 aircraft, but is planning to produce 32 jets per year on receiving an additional order of 97 aircraft.

Keeping in view the needs of the Air Force, 43 types of improvements have been made in avionics, weapons and maintenance in the LCA Tejas MK-1A fighter jet being prepared. According to HAL, Tejas MK-1A will have state-of-the-art AESA radar, which will be better than the Israeli EL/M-2032 radar of Tejas MK-1. The first batch will have Israeli EL/M-2052 radar, while the rest will have indigenous ‘Uttam’ radar. The Tejas MK-1A will have the Israeli ELL-8222 jammer pod, which will intercept radar signals of BVR or SAM missiles. This improvement is very important from the point of view of modern air warfare.

Tejas MK-1A will have improved close range, BVR and long range BVR missiles for combat. It will also have 500 kg LGB and unguided bombs for air-to-ground attack. To improve the maintainability of Tejas MK-1A, Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and new LRUs have been installed. On the demand of the Indian Air Force, Tejas MK-1A has been equipped with a smart multi-function display, digital map generator, improved radio altimeter and Angad electronic warfare suite. Due to these features, Tejas MK-1A is an important milestone for Bharat’s self-reliance in fighter jet technology.