India’s indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) completes seven years of service in the Indian Air Force on 1 July. The LCA was christened Tejas in 2003.
The multi-role fighter is presently operational with two fighter squadrons of the IAF.
The first IAF Squadron to induct the Tejas was No 45 Squadron, the ‘Flying Daggers’. In May 2020, No 18 Squadron became the second IAF unit to operate the Tejas.
Over the years, the the Flying Daggers had progressed from Vampires to Gnats and then onto the MiG-21 Bis, before being equipped with its current steed.
Each of the aircraft flown by the Flying Daggers was manufactured in India – either under license production or having been designed and developed in India.
The LCA was designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and is being manufactured by state-owned airframer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) one two production lines in Bangalore.
The Tejas features a quadruplex redundant FBW system and the Tejas offers carefree handling and enhanced manoeuvrability. This aircraft is fitted with an Israeli Elta Multi-Mode airborne radar, Helmet Mounted Display, Self-protection suite and Laser Designation Pod.
The IAF has showcased India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities by displaying the aircraft at various international events, including LIMA-2019 at Malaysia, Dubai Air Show-2021, Sri Lanka Air Force anniversary celebrations in 2021, Singapore Air Show- 2022 and Aero India Shows from 2017 to 2023. Whilst it had already participated in exercises with foreign air forces domestically, Ex-Desert Flag in the United Arab Emirates in March 2023 was the Tejas’ maiden exercise on foreign soil.
The IAF has now placed more orders for Tejas for 83 Mk-1A aircraft which will have updated avionics, as well as an Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) radar, updated Electronic Warfare (EW) suite and Beyond Visual Range missile capability. The new variant will be capable of firing a plethora of weapons from increased stand-off ranges. Many of these weapons will be of indigenous origin.
The LCA MK-1A will see a substantial increase in the overall indigenous content of the aircraft. Contracted deliveries of the aircraft are expected to commence in February 2024.
Image Credit: Indian Air Force
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