HAL Tejas

Tejas
HAL Tejas from No. 18 Squadron IAF
General information
TypeMultirole combat aircraft
National originIndia
ManufacturerHindustan Aeronautics Limited
DesignerAeronautical Development Agency
Aircraft Research and Design Centre (HAL)
Aeronautical Development Establishment
StatusIn production[1]
Primary userIndian Air Force
Number built53[a]
History
Manufactured2001–present
Introduction date17 January 2015[7]
First flight4 January 2001[8]
Developed intoTejas Mk2

The HAL Tejas (Sanskrit: तेजस, ISO: Tējasa, lit. 'Radiance') is an Indian single-engine, delta wing, multirole[9] combat aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy.[10][11] Tejas made its first flight in 2001 and entered into service with the IAF in 2015.[12][13] In 2003, the aircraft was officially named 'Tejas'.[14] Currently Tejas is the smallest and lightest in its class of supersonic combat aircraft.[15]

Tejas is the second supersonic combat aircraft developed by HAL after the HF-24 Marut.[16] The first Tejas squadron became operational in 2016. The No. 45 Squadron IAF - Flying Daggers, based at Sulur Air Force Station (AFS) in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, was the first to have their MiG-21 Bisons replaced with the Tejas.[17]

Tejas has three production variants - Tejas Mark 1, Mark 1A and Tejas trainer/light attack aircraft. The IAF currently has placed an order for 123 Tejas and is planning to procure 97 more.[18] The IAF plans to procure at least 324 aircraft or 18 squadrons of Tejas in all variants, including the heavier Tejas Mark 2 which is currently being developed.[19]

As of 2022, the indigenous content in the Tejas Mark 1 is 59.7% by value and 75.5% by the number of line replaceable units.[20] The indigenous content of the Tejas Mk 1A is expected to surpass 70% in the next four years.[21]

  1. ^ Jain, Smriti (1 July 2016). "Tejas: IAF inducts HAL's 'Made in India' Light Combat Aircraft – 10 special facts about the LCA". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Tejas trainer PV6 completes first flight". www.spsmai.com. SP Guide publications. 16 November 2014. ISSN 2230-9268. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  3. ^ "LCA Navy prototype NP5 completes successful maiden flight: DRDO". The Indian Express. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Tejas LSP-8 makes its maiden flight". The New Indian Express. 1 April 2013. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Delivery of single-seat Tejas LCA Mark 1 fighters to IAF completed". Business Standard. 23 August 2023.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :54 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "After 32 years, India finally gets LCA Tejas aircraft". Economic Times. 17 January 2015. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :24 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Aircraft Certification | Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.drdo.gov.in. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  10. ^ "HAL hands over first LCA Tejas twin seater aircraft to IAF". The Hindu. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Indigenous Tejas joins IAF's fighter squadron". The Hindu. 1 July 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  12. ^ Peri, Dinakar (28 May 2016). "Tejas to replace MiG as key fighter". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  13. ^ "Tejas not being inducted as replacement of MIG-21 fighter jet: Defence Ministry". Times Now News. 20 December 2021. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  14. ^ Tewary, Amarnath (6 July 2016). "Pokhran-II delayed Tejas project, says former scientist". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 13 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  15. ^ Siddiqui, Huma (6 October 2021). "LCA could be a good option for Argentine Air Force, says a source". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  16. ^ "Fit to fly: The Tejas, first India-designed fighter jet". BBC News. 10 January 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference :26 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ "DAC nod to buy 97 Tejas jets, 156 combat helicopters". The Indian Express. 30 November 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  19. ^ Gady, Franz-Stefan (16 April 2018). "Tejas Fighter Jets Participate in India's Biggest Air Combat Exercise". thediplomat.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  20. ^ "Indigenous content of Tejas 59.7% by value & 75.5% by numbers The Minister of State for Defence, Subhash Bhamre, reported to Parliament". Press Trust of India. 18 November 2016. Archived from the original on 9 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017 – via indianexpress.com.
  21. ^ "Prime Minister visits HAL facilities in Bengaluru; Appreciates its growing capabilities". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 29 November 2023.


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