The Tejas is a 4.5 generation, lightweight, high-agility supersonic multi-role indian fighter aircraft tejas, which officially entered service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in July 2016. Developed under the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, it represents a significant leap in India’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
Tejas Fighter Aircraft lightweight high-agility supersonic jet
The design and development of the Tejas Fighter Aircraft were led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) serving as the prime industrial contractor responsible for production.
Recent developments continue to enhance the Tejas platform. In February 2024, ADA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the IAF to facilitate the integration of futuristic weapons and sensors into the aircraft. Further underscoring India’s push towards self-reliance in aeronautical technologies, ADA handed over the first batch of indigenous leading-edge actuators and airbrake control modules to HAL in April 2024. These components are crucial for HAL as it prepares for the production of the 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft ordered by the IAF.
Tejas Development Timeline
The journey of the Tejas began with the first demonstrator aircraft under the LCA programme, which conducted its maiden flight in January 2001. A second demonstrator followed in June 2002. The production version of the Tejas first flew in April 2007, while a trainer variant took to the skies in November 2009.
Subsequent limited series production (LSP) models were instrumental in testing various configurations and systems. The LSP-4 and LSP-5 had their inaugural flights in June and November 2010, respectively. The aircraft received initial operational clearance (IOC) in January 2011 after successfully completing initial testing in December 2010. Further LSP prototypes, including LSP-7 and LSP-8, flew in March 2012 and 2013.
The Tejas achieved a significant milestone by successfully firing an infrared-seeking air-to-air missile in December 2013, coinciding with its IOC status. A prototype featuring an advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite developed by the DRDO also completed its first flight during this period. The first series-production aircraft was delivered to the IAF in January 2015, followed by the second in March 2016.
The naval variant of the Tejas also saw significant progress, with its first flight in April 2012. It successfully completed critical test trials on the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier in January 2020, proving its capability for carrier operations. In July 2016, the IAF officially received the first two Tejas aircraft. The Tejas Mk1, in its final operational clearance (FOC) configuration, was inducted into service in May 2020. Most recently, HAL completed the first flight of the improved Tejas Mk1A version in March 2024.
HAL Tejas Mk1 fighter aircraft in flight after final operational clearance
Conceptual Design and Flight Trials
The Tejas is designed as an all-weather, tactical fighter, available in two main variants: a single-seat fighter and a two-seat training aircraft. The conceptual design for a carrier-borne version, featuring modifications like a reinforced landing gear and an arrestor hook, received approval in 1999. This naval version includes unique features such as retractable canards and adjustable vortex control.
The Indian Government officially initiated a dedicated development programme for carrier-borne Tejas versions in 2002, leading to the first flights of two prototype aircraft in 2009.
The IAF conducted the second phase of hot weather flight trials for the Tejas in June 2010. These trials assessed the performance of key systems, including the digital flight control computer, avionics, multimode radar, radar warning receiver (RWR), and the environmental control systems, in temperatures up to 45°C.
A notable test occurred in August 2023 when the Tejas LSP-7 prototype successfully test-fired the indigenous Astra beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVR-AAM) from an altitude of 20,000ft off the coast of Goa. The tejas combat aircraft in india Mk1A programme also reached a significant milestone in February 2024 with the successful flight of LSP7, integrating the domestically developed quadruplex digital fly-by-wire flight control computer (DFCC), highlighting advanced processing power and high safety standards.
Tejas Mk1 Design and Features
The Tejas Mk1 features a distinctive delta platform design with shoulder-mounted delta wings. It incorporates a fin but lacks a horizontal tail plane, contributing to its agility. The aircraft has an approximate empty weight of 5,450kg and a maximum take-off weight of 13,500kg.
Front view of Tejas single-seat light combat aircraft
Construction extensively uses lightweight materials, including aluminium, lithium, and titanium alloys, as well as carbon composites. The wing structure, for instance, incorporates composite spars and ribs with a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic skin, enhancing strength while reducing weight. The 10 best multi role fighter aircraft in the world often utilize such advanced materials.
The aircraft is equipped with nine external hardpoints located on the wings and fuselage, designed to carry a variety of ordnance and external equipment. These hardpoints can also accommodate EW, targeting, surveillance, reconnaissance, or training pods, adding to the aircraft’s versatility.
Fuel capacity includes wing and fuselage tanks. The Tejas Mk1A variant incorporates an in-flight refuelling probe on the front starboard side for air-to-air refuelling, significantly extending its range and endurance. Additionally, the aircraft can carry drop tanks with capacities up to 4,000l on the inner and mid-board wing sections and the fuselage centreline hardpoint.
Tejas Mk1 light combat aircraft taking off from INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier
Cockpit and Avionics
The Tejas Mk1 boasts a night vision-compatible glass cockpit designed to reduce pilot workload and improve situational awareness. It features zero-zero ejection seats supplied by Martin Baker from the UK. Key cockpit displays include dual 76mm × 76mm colour multifunction displays manufactured by Bharat Electronics, a head-up display developed by the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), and a liquid crystal return-to-home-base panel with a keyboard.
Further enhancing pilot effectiveness, the cockpit includes a helmet-mounted display and sight (HMDS) and a hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) system. Navigation is facilitated by a Sagem SIGMA 95N ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system integrated with GPS. The communication suite is comprehensive, featuring VHF to UHF radios with counter-countermeasures capabilities, data links for air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, and a HAL-developed friend-or-foe interrogator system. The cockpit is also fitted with an environmental control system from Spectrum Infotech. The avionics suite is robust, including a health-monitoring system, ground proximity and terrain-referenced navigation systems, an instrument landing system, GPS, a stores management system, and three 1553B 32-bit mission computers.
Secondary flight controls, such as leading-edge slats and airbrakes, are managed by Servo valve-based electro-hydraulic actuators and control modules. The advanced cockpit design significantly contributes to pilot comfort and operational efficiency.
Weapons and Countermeasures
The Tejas is equipped with a formidable array of weaponry. It features a 23mm twin-barrelled GSh-23 gun mounted in a blister fairing under the starboard air intake, capable of a burst firing rate of 50 rounds per second and a muzzle velocity of 715m per second.
The aircraft can carry a variety of air-to-air missiles, including the Vympel R-73 for close combat. It is also capable of deploying air-to-ground and anti-ship missiles, precision-guided munitions, rockets, and bombs for multi-role missions. Notably, the Derby BVR-AAM was procured from Rafael Advanced Defence Systems for integration on a large number of Tejas aircraft, providing an engagement range of 50km. The successful test firing of the indigenous Astra BVR-AAM in 2023 signifies a step towards incorporating domestically produced advanced missiles.
Tejas LSP-7 prototype launching indigenous Astra beyond visual range missile
Sensors and Radar
Mounted within a Kevlar radome, the Tejas’s radar system offers multiple operational modes, including multi-target search, track-while-scan, and ground-mapping. It is a pulse Doppler radar with advanced features such as Doppler beam shaping, moving target indication, and look-up/look-down capabilities.
The sensor package on the improved Mk1A variant is significantly enhanced. It includes airborne electronically scanned array (AESA) fighter radar technology, providing superior detection and tracking capabilities. The Mk1A’s EW suite is also comprehensive, featuring a radar warning receiver and jammer, laser warner, missile approach warner, chaff and flare dispenser for self-protection. Additional advanced features include a digital map generator (DMG), smart multi-function displays (SMFD), a combined interrogator and transponder (CIT), and an advanced radio altimeter.
Engine and Performance
The tejas fighter aircraft is powered by GE Aerospace’s F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine. This engine, measuring 154 inches in length, produces a thrust of 19,000lb and handles 153lb/s of airflow, providing the necessary power for the Tejas’s high-agility performance. For engine startup, the aircraft is fitted with a HAL gas turbine starter unit model GTSU-110, which supplies the required airflow and power.
In terms of performance, the Tejas can reach a maximum speed of 1.6 Mach (approximately 1,975km/h) at a maximum altitude of 15,240m (50,000ft). It boasts a maximum range of 3,000km, enabling significant operational reach. India’s participation in the list of fighter aircraft manufacturing countries is solidified by the Tejas program.
Tejas Mk1A completing its maiden flight in March 2024
Orders and Deliveries
HAL has received substantial orders for the LCA Tejas from the IAF. Initially, orders were placed for a total of 40 LCA Tejas aircraft, divided into 20 IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) and 20 FOC (Final Operational Clearance) standard aircraft. The IOC contract, signed in March 2006, was valued at Rs28.1bn ($631m), with a subsequent amendment sought for additional components. The FOC contract, signed in December 2010, was valued at Rs59.8bn ($1.3bn).
A major boost to the programme came in February 2021, when the Indian government contracted HAL to supply an additional 83 Tejas aircraft. This order comprises 73 of the improved Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and ten Tejas Mk-1 trainer aircraft, valued at a significant Rs480bn ($6.5bn). All 83 aircraft are scheduled for delivery within an eight-year timeframe from the signing of the contract. In October 2023, the IAF also took delivery of a twin-seater LCA Tejas variant.
Tejas Mk2 Version Development
Looking to the future, ADA is actively developing the Tejas Mk2, envisioned as a medium-combat aircraft. This version is planned as an advanced evolution of the Tejas, potentially incorporating stealth features. It is expected to be powered by two engines with fully vectoring nozzles and potentially feature a design without vertical or horizontal tails.
The first flight of the Tejas Mk2 variant is anticipated in 2025. This advanced jet is intended to serve as a key part of the indian air force future fighter aircraft fleet, designed to eventually replace older aircraft like the Jaguar and Mirage 2000 currently in service with the IAF.
Contractors Involved
Several key contractors and organisations have played crucial roles in the Tejas programme. HAL awarded a Rs24bn ($315.8m) contract to Bharat Electronics (BEL), a government-owned aerospace and defence company, in December 2021. This contract is for the supply of 20 different types of airborne electronic systems specifically to equip the Tejas Mk1A aircraft.
The aircraft’s advanced EW suite was developed by the Advanced Systems Integration and Evaluation Organisation (ASIEO). The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) contributed significantly by designing and producing the aircraft’s fin and rudder, and also constructed the aircraft fuselage. The Digital Fly-by-Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) for the Tejas Mk1A was developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a DRDO laboratory. The aircraft’s multimode radar was a joint development effort between another DRDO laboratory, Electronics Research and Development Establishment, and HAL. International collaboration also plays a role, with Saab, a prominent aerospace and defence company based in Sweden, having offered a sensor package for the Mk1A aircraft.
In conclusion, the Tejas fighter aircraft programme represents a monumental achievement for India’s aerospace industry. From its initial development phases through various upgrades and operational deployments, the Tejas Mk1 and the upcoming Mk1A and Mk2 variants are set to form the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet for decades to come, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in designing and manufacturing advanced military aircraft.
