Aircraft & UAVs

HAL Tejas

HAL Tejas is India's single-engine multirole light combat aircraft, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. HAL describes the type as a 4.5-generation, all-weather fighter, and later Tejas Mk1A production added an AESA radar, electronic warfare equipment, and air-to-air refuelling capability.

Specifications

Crew
1 in fighter variants; 2 in twin-seat trainer variants
Engine
1 × GE F404-IN20 afterburning turbofan
Hardpoints
9
Maximum speed
Mach 1.6
Service ceiling
50,000 feet
G limits
+8g / -3.5g

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service
Entered Indian Air Force squadron service in 2016; twin-seat trainer and Mk1A variants expanded the fleet in the 2020s.
Used by
Indian Air Force

Conflict Usage

Indian Air Force Tejas aircraft were deployed in an operational role along the Pakistani border in August 2020 amid regional tensions.

Timeline

HAL Tejas Key Events

  1. First series-production flight

    The first series-production Tejas aircraft completed its maiden flight, starting the production-line path toward squadron service.

    Sources: Background to DRDO Developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas

  2. First aircraft handed to the IAF

    The Defence Minister handed over the first series-production IOC-standard Tejas to the Indian Air Force after upgrade work.

    Sources: Background to DRDO Developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas

  3. Induction into squadron service

    The first indigenous Tejas aircraft entered Indian Air Force service, marking the type's squadron-level operational debut.

    Sources: Achievements of Ministry of Defence from May, 2014 to March, 2017

  4. Final operational clearance

    PIB reported final operational clearance for LCA Tejas Mk I, clearing the way for broader fighter-service use.

    Sources: Final Operational Clearance of LCA Tejas MK I for Indian Air Force

  5. Seven years of service

    The Ministry of Defence marked seven years of Tejas service in the Indian Air Force and highlighted the type's multirole role.

    Sources: LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT TEJAS COMPLETES SEVEN YEARS OF SERVICE IN INDIAN AIR FORCE

  6. Astra test-fire

    ADA test-fired the indigenous ASTRA BVRAAM from a Tejas LCA AF Mk1 prototype off the Odisha coast.

    Sources: Tejas LCA AF MK1 test-fires Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile

HAL Tejas Images

Related Weapon Systems

Sources