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IAF to Receive First Tejas Mk1A Fighter Jet

  • 09 Oct 2025
  • 3 min read

Source: TH 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive its first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A, marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous fighter jet programme 

Tejas Mk1A 

  • About: The Tejas Mk1A is an upgraded variant of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 
  • Purpose: This version is aimed to enhance operational and combat capabilities, survivability and maintainability over the baseline Mk1 
  • Capabilities: 
    • Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar integration. 
    • Electronic Warfare Suite (EWS) — radar‑warning and self‑protection jamming. 
    • Upgraded Flight Control Computer (DFCC Mk1A) for better maneuverability and stability. 
    • Missile compatibility- Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground missiles and Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM). 
    • Planned integration of Combined Interrogator and Transponder (CIT), Software Defined Radio (SDR) and Operating Data Link (ODL) with existing onboard avionics. 

 LCA Tejas

  • About: The LCA Tejas programme, initiated by the Government of India in 1984, aimed to replace the ageing MiG-21 fighter jets. The programme is managed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). 
  • Features: 
    • Lightest, smallest, and tailless multi-role supersonic fighter in its class. 
    • Capable of carrying a variety of air-to-air, air-to-surface, and precision-guided weapons. 
    • Maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg. 
    • Maximum speed: Mach 1.8. 
    • Range: 3,000 km. 
  • Variants of Tejas: 
    • Tejas Trainer: 2-seater operational conversion trainer for training air force pilots. 
    • LCA Navy: Twin- and single-seat carrier-capable for the Indian Navy. 
    • LCA Tejas Navy MK2: This is phase 2 of the LCA Navy variant. 
    • LCA Tejas Mk-1A: This is an improvement over the LCA Tejas Mk1 with a higher thrust engine. 
Read More: India’s 5G Fighter Aircraft and LCA Tejas 
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