Tejas

The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-engine, 4.5-generation, delta-wing multirole combat aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy. The aircraft made its first flight in 2001 and entered service with the IAF in 2015. It is known for being the smallest and lightest supersonic fighter jet of its generation.

Development

The Government of India established the Light Combat Aircraft programme in 1983 to modernize the IAF fleet as older fighters approached the end of their service lives. The Aeronautical Development Agency was established in 1984 to manage the design, choosing HAL as the primary contractor. The first technology demonstrator flew on 4 January 2001, with the aircraft achieving Initial Operational Clearance in January 2011 and Final Operational Clearance in February 2019. As of November 2025, the IAF holds approximately 30 Mark 1 aircraft and six trainers in its inventory, with orders placed for 141 Mark 1A fighters and additional trainer variants.

Design

The aircraft uses a tailless compound delta-wing configuration with relaxed static stability and a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire flight control system. Carbon-fiber composites account for 45% of the airframe weight and 90% of its surface area, integrated alongside titanium and aluminum-lithium alloys. Propulsion is provided by a General Electric F404-GE-IN20 afterburning turbofan engine rated at 85 kN of thrust with afterburner. Sensor and avionics systems include the Elta EL/M-2032 or EL/M-2052 AESA radars—with the indigenous Uttam AESA radar planned for later production batches—a glass cockpit with helmet-mounted displays, and an integrated electronic warfare suite.

Armament

Internal armament consists of a single 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 twin-barreled autocannon mounted under the starboard air intake. Up to nine external hardpoints carry between 4,500 kg and 5,300 kg of stores, including drop tanks and sensor pods. Air-to-air missile options include the R-73, Python-5, ASRAAM, I-Derby ER, and Astra Mk 1. Air-to-surface weapons encompass laser-guided bombs, glide bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and Spice precision munitions.

Operational History

The IAF operationalized its first Tejas unit, No. 45 Squadron, in July 2016, placing the type on its first operational deployment along the western border in August 2020. Tejas aircraft have participated in domestic and international exercises, including Gagan Shakti 2018, Desert Flag VIII in 2023, and Tarang Shakti 2024. As of early 2026, two aircraft have been lost in crashes, including a fatal accident during the Dubai Airshow in November 2025. HAL has submitted proposals to multiple prospective export clients, but no foreign sales have been finalized.

Variants

• Tejas Mark 1: Initial single-seat production variant for the IAF delivered in IOC and FOC operational configurations.

• Tejas Mark 1A: Upgraded combat variant equipped with an AESA radar, an updated electronic warfare suite, on-board oxygen generation, and expanded weapons capabilities.

• Tejas Trainer: Two-seat operational conversion trainer developed for pilot instruction and secondary light attack missions.

• Tejas Mark 1 Navy: Carrier-capable prototype featuring a strengthened landing gear structure, an arrestor hook, and leading-edge vortex controllers.

• Tejas Mark 2: Medium Weight Fighter development planned to feature a General Electric F414 engine, canards, increased internal fuel capacity, and an integrated infrared search and track system.