Tejas Mark-1A: Equipped with advanced radar, self-defense capability

The test flight of the first aircraft of the advanced version ‘Mark 1A’ of fighter jet Tejas manufactured in India has been successful. The first aircraft of this series, LA5033, took a 18-minute flight on 28 March 2024 at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) center in Bengaluru.

• The previous version of Tejas, Mark 1A, has already been inducted into the Air Force.

Features of Tejas Advanced Version Mark 1A:

• Mark 1A, the advanced version of the indigenously made fighter jet Tejas, has successfully completed its first test flight. The advanced version of Tejas, Mark 1A, has been equipped with many new technologies compared to the previous one, mainly
  • Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
  • Advanced Beyond-Visual Range (BVR) Missile.
  • Ability to defend oneself from attack.
  • It has the capability of mid-air refueling. This will help in increasing the range of single engine fighter jets.
  • An upgraded radar warning receiver system has been installed in it. This will enable the aircraft to identify threats quickly.
  • It also has a digital map generator, smart multi-function display and advanced radio altimeter.

HAL pilot flies advanced version of Tejas Mark 1A:

• Group Captain (retd) KK Venugopal, Chief Test Pilot of HAL's Fixed Wing Aircraft, took the test flight of the new version in Bengaluru.
• The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has developed the advanced version. 

HAL will prepare 83 aircraft by 2028:

• HAL had received a contract worth Rs 46,898 crore in 2021 to manufacture 83 Tejas Mark-1A for the Indian Air Force.
• HAL is scheduled to deliver 83 aircraft from March 2024-February 2028.

Target to manufacture 24 fighter aircraft per year by 2025:

• Earlier, HAL was ordered for 40 Tejas MK-1 under a contract worth Rs 8,802 crore. Of these, 32 single-seat LCA fighters and two double seat trainers have been delivered. Now only 6 double seat trainers are left to be delivered.

PM Modi flew in Tejas fighter plane:

• On November 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew in the Tejas fighter plane. After this the fighter aircraft project got a boost. HAL has also increased the pace of its construction. HAL can reach the target of producing 24 aircraft per year by 2025.

LCA Mark-1A aircraft will replace MiG series aircraft: 

• The Indian Air Force is preparing to replace its existing MiG series aircraft with the LCA variant of Tejas. The LCA Mark-1A aircraft will replace the MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27.

Most of the equipment of LCA Mark-1A is made in India:

• More than 65% of the equipment of LCA Mark-1A is made in India. LCA Mark-1A is being considered a big step towards India's self-reliance in aerospace and Make-in-India.

LCA Mark-1A will be deployed on Pakistan border:

• There is a plan to deploy indigenous Tejas Mark-1A at Nal airbase in Bikaner, Rajasthan, near the Pakistan border.

About LCA Tejas:

• Construction started in 1983 under the Light Combat Aircraft Project.
• Tejas flew in the sky for the first time on January 4, 2001.
• Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari had named this fighter aircraft as 'Tejas' in 2003.
• In 2007, the process of manufacturing Tejas fighter jets for naval aircraft carriers started once again.
• Scientist Dr. Kota Harinarayana and his team had created this indigenous fighter aircraft.