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...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
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
JetBlu and its fuel partners marked the first-ever regular supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for commercial air travel in…
Overwatch, a British aerospace and defence group specialising in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has entered into a collaboration agreement with…
AEGEAN, Greece's largest airline, has confirmed an order for eight more Airbus A321neo aircraft to bolster its network and support…
SATS Ltd. (SATS) and Vietnam Airlines JSC (VNA) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly build and…
The Air Astana Group reported significant growth in 2024, carrying nine million passengers across its two airline brands. This figure…
Airbus Helicopters concluded the VERTICON 2025 event in Dallas, United States, with 118 commitments, including 63 firm orders, for its…
The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has received four additional Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) G2000 MKII vessels at the TLDM base…
Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA) Ltd. has extended its contract with Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) to supply a fixed triple…
Archer Aviation and Palantir Technologies are partnering to build the artificial intelligence (AI) foundation for next-gen aviation technologies. The companies…
The French Army has selected Exail to conduct a Tactical Evaluation (EVTA) of advanced driving simulators. The initiative is led…
GDAT, one of China’s most prominent helicopter operators, has signed an HCare In-Service contract with Airbus to cover ten H225…
Eve Air Mobility (Eve) and South Korea’s UI Helicopter have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the development…
At Verticon 2025 in Dallas, Leonardo announced securing nearly 30 helicopter orders for the AW109 GrandNew, AW169, AW139, and AW189…
Effective from 13th March 2025, Air Astana Group is introducing stricter regulations on the transport of lithium batteries and battery-powered…
DSA and NATSEC Asia 2026 is poised to build on the achievements of the 2024 event, where the Ministry of…
AAR CORP. has secured a multi-year agreement to deliver nacelle maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Cebu Pacific Air's A320…
Exail has partnered with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), part of the EDGE Group, and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII)…
The New York State Police has placed an order for one Airbus H160 and three H145 helicopters, becoming the first…
Clarivate has released its 2025 Top 100 Global Innovators list, recognising organisations that are advancing technology research and innovation. Among…
Indra Group has introduced IndraMind, an intelligence system aimed at enhancing the automation of critical operations and improving multi-domain operational…
The UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) has placed an order for seven Airbus H135 helicopters as part of the…
Metro Aviation has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for up to 36 H140 helicopters to be used in emergency…
Aircraft leasing company Jackson Square Aviation (JSA) has placed an order for 50 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft. This marks JSA’s…
Global Medical Response (GMR) has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for up to 15 H140 helicopters for emergency medical…
Airbus Helicopters has introduced the H140, a light twin-engine helicopter, at the VERTICON event in Dallas, Texas. The 3-tonne class…
Indra has introduced an advanced NH90 helicopter simulator at Cuatro Vientos Air and Space Force base, enhancing pilot training with…
Korean Air introduced a revised corporate identity on 11 March, featuring an updated version of its Taegeuk symbol. The airline…
Vietjet has announced the launch of a new direct route between Singapore and Phu Quoc, set to commence on 30…
Italian aerospace and defence major Leonardo has announced robust financial results for 2024, with the company recording strong growth across…
Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer, is visiting Poland this week with a senior commercial and defence team,…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.