The Government of India is offering 18 Light-Combat Aircraft (LCA) “Tejas” for sale to Malaysia. This move has not only captured the interest of Malaysia but also intrigued Argentina, Australia, Egypt, the United States, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The jets are manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which was awarded a contract by the Indian government worth USD6 billion in 2021. The delivery of these locally produced Tejas jets will begin around 2023.
The Origin and Development of Tejas Aircraft
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme was initiated by the Government of India back in 1984. To manage this ambitious project, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) was established. The reason behind launching this program was to replace the ageing Mig 21 fighter planes.
The airship was conceived, designed, and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development. To bring this design to life and into reality, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was entrusted with its manufacturing responsibilities.
Impressive Features of Tejas Aircraft
Tejas has been lauded as the lightest, smallest, and a tailless multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft in its class, with an impressive range of features. It is designed to carry air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided weapons, increasing its versatility on the battlefield. The aircraft is equipped with an air-to-air refuelling capability, enhancing its endurance and range.
One of the striking aspects of Tejas is that it can carry a maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg. In addition, it boasts an impressive maximum speed of Mach 1.8. The range of the aircraft is approximately 3,000km, making it an advanced tactical fighter.
The Various Variants of Tejas
Over the years, the LCA programme has seen the development of various versions of the Tejas aircraft to meet different needs. The Tejas Trainer is a 2-seater operational conversion trainer designed specifically for training air force pilots.
The LCA Navy is another variant of the Tejas, which features twin- and single-seat carrier-capable designs for the Indian Navy. The LCA Tejas Navy MK2 represents phase 2 of this naval variant, further enhancing its capabilities for seaborne operations.
The evolution of the Tejas didn’t stop there. The LCA Tejas Mk-1A is an improvement over the LCA Tejas Mk1, equipped with a more powerful engine providing higher thrust. This version exhibits significant enhancements in operational capabilities while maintaining the same lightweight, compact attributes that Tejas is known for.
On the whole, the Tejas Aircraft is a testament to India’s evolving defence technology landscape. Its impressive design, advanced features, and subsequent variations reflect India’s commitment to innovation, self-reliance and strengthening its defence forces through state-of-the-art homegrown solutions.
