Tejas Light Combat Aircraft

Aug. 1, 2024

The Indian Air Force is grappling with significant delays in the delivery of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) from the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, raising concerns over its combat readiness and operational capabilities.

About Tejas Light Combat Aircraft:

  • It is a 4.5-generation single seat supersonic multirole fighter aircraft.
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) led the design and development of the aircraft under the light combat aircraft (LCA) programme, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) working as the prime industrial contractor. 
  • The LCA programme was envisioned in the late 1980s to replace the MiG-21 and Su-7 fleet.
  • It entered service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in July 2016.
  • It is India's second indigenous fighter jet after the HAL HF-24 Marut.
  • It is designed for offensive air support, close combat, and ground attack roles.
  • It has three production models: Tejas Mark 1, Mark 1A, and trainer variant.
  • Features:
  • It is the smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary supersonic combat aircraft.
  • It features a fin but lacks a horizontal tail. 
  • The aircraft weighs approximately 5,450 kg and has a maximum take-off weight of 13,500 kg.
  • It is powered by a single uprated General Electric F404-GE-IN20 engine.
  • It is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided weapons.