Air Force Tejas Mk1A: News & Discussions: 02 January 2022

[Rakesh]

VIDEO: https://x.com/IndiaToday/status/1894011898288591010 ---> Is private sector the answer for faster production of Tejas? Here's what Air Marshal Anil Khosla (R), former Vice Chief of Air Staff and defence analyst Angad Singh said.

VIDEO: https://x.com/IndiaToday/status/1894003138052428237 ---> Can committee ensure speedy delivery of Tejas to IAF? "We don't need any more committees or panels, we need decisions," says Angad Singh, defence analyst.

[ashishvikas]

It's March, let's hope 404s deliveries starts.

It's single most important thing to happen for a stabilized production run.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/livefist/status/1897183899148845202 ---> DRDO conducts high-altitude trials of Indigenous Integrated Life Support System for LCA Tejas.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/livefist/status/1897183899148845202 ---> DRDO conducts high-altitude trials of Indigenous Integrated Life Support System for LCA Tejas.

https://x.com/Indrani1_Roy/status/1897359960868360629 ---> One of my pet peeves about the LCA Tejas program. 10+ years late. This was one of the things that the Chief was alluding to at Aero India '25. It was fitted on the Mk1As, but not yet certified. Well it's done now. I hope Mk1s are retrofitted ASAP.

https://x.com/Indrani1_Roy/status/1897363227929194805 ---> Finally, will somebody look at the low hanging fruit of the drop tanks. Especially, the subsonic drop tanks. 11% more fuel at almost no drag penalty is not a joke.

https://x.com/Indrani1_Roy/status/1897364701690126746 ---> Essentially, an Mk1A with two 1320 drop tanks will have the same range as endurance as the one with 3 drop tanks now, opening up the center pylon for ordnances. The number of hardpoints on a light fighter is extremely limited and every effort must be made to maximize usage.

https://x.com/Indrani1_Roy/status/1897365852917522474 ---> Conversely;

1. With 3 drop tanks and OBOGS, the ferry range could be increased.
2. Or with 2 drop tanks, 6 A2A missiles and aerial refueling, they can patrol for extremely long durations, overcoming one of the critical shortcomings of a light fighter.

https://x.com/Indrani1_Roy/status/1897368467311055240 ---> IAF is short on fighters. Our decision making process is glacial & disjoint. We have a menagerie of aircrafts: 50 here, 100 there! Please stop repeating the same mistake! Standardize on Mk1A, Mk2, AMCA, TEDBF. Channelize all efforts to maximizing production & utilization rates.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Indrani1_Roy/status/1897364701690126746 ---> Essentially, an Mk1A with two 1320 drop tanks will have the same range as endurance as the one with 3 drop tanks now, opening up the center pylon for ordnances. The number of hardpoints on a light fighter is extremely limited and every effort must be made to maximize usage.

https://x.com/JA_Maolankar/status/1897495074407375029 ---> The drop tanks of the LCA would make a very telling case study of nearly all that ails our D&D world. From requirements engineering right through to manufacture and design iteration. Best part-none of the factors involve any technology! But nearly all require ‘cultural’ change!

[srai]

^^^
All the planes have AAR capability … but no new aerial refuelers themselves!

Invest in enlarged drop tanks then

[Manish_P]

^^^
All the planes have AAR capability … but no new aerial refuelers themselves!

Invest in enlarged drop tanks then

Or use it as a reason to say because these fighters are small and their range is limited and hence one more critical reason why we need the MRCA

Pls. excuse my <Rant> we have submarines but don't have the torpedoes for them, we have ACs but the lifts can fit only specific planes which we don't want any more of, we build attack helicopters but don't have the ATGMs for them,...</Rant>

[srai]

Praneet Franklin - LCA Tejas Mk1A at AeroIndia 2025

This is an ultra-stable, anti-cinematic, 4 minute director's cut of the LCA Tejas Mk1A prototype on SP-25, flown by Gp Capt Venugopal (retd.) Chief Test Pilot, HAL Flight Operations & Flight Test Center, HAL Bangalore.
This footage was captured during Aero India 2025 with the Nikon Z8 + AF-S 500mm 5.6 PF & the AF-S 120-300 2.8E with 2x TC & 1.4x TC on FTZII.
Highly recommend watching in 4K on a large display! Enjoy!

[ashishvikas]

Arihant_Ray on X: Astra BVR aam will be test fired from Tejas mk1A within the next 15 days

Why HAL give timeline when they can't meet.

[sanjaykumar]

That video is remarkable. Heavily digitally processed but very well done.

[ajay_hk]

First rear fuselage for LCA Mk1A made by Alpha Tocol Engineering handed over to HAL in Bengaluru

The first rear fuselage for Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A, produced by Indian Private Industry, Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Private Ltd, was handed over on Sunday to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Aircraft Division in Bengaluru.

...

HAL has already manufactured 12 LCA MK1A rear fuselages, which are on the aircraft in the manufacturing line. With this supply, a major structure module produced by an Indian private partner will be integrated into the LCA Mk1A aircraft, enabling HAL to meet additional delivery commitments for IAF from 2025-26 onwards.

[srai]

^^^
Scale up the production partners


https://x.com/DefenceDecode/status/1401 ... 30/photo/1

[ashishvikas]

Looks like F-404s would start coming...

Defence Panel Lists Out Key Areas For IAF Modernisation | Modernising India's Air Force

High-Powered Defence Committee Submits its report to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Min of Def India Secretary RK Singh, who chaired the Empowered Committee speaks exclusively to Parikshit Luthra on the key recommendations, the firepower that India's Air Force needs and more.

[maitya]

First rear fuselage for LCA Mk1A made by Alpha Tocol Engineering handed over to HAL in Bengaluru

The first rear fuselage for Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A, produced by Indian Private Industry, Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Private Ltd, was handed over on Sunday to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Aircraft Division in Bengaluru.

...

HAL has already manufactured 12 LCA MK1A rear fuselages, which are on the aircraft in the manufacturing line. With this supply, a major structure module produced by an Indian private partner will be integrated into the LCA Mk1A aircraft, enabling HAL to meet additional delivery commitments for IAF from 2025-26 onwards.

Here's a closeup of this rear-fuselage: From X @ShorBarks: Mk1A Rear Fuselage

[Rakesh]

Tejas Delays: Can HAL deliver & what's the future for Indian Air Force's fighters?

With deliveries of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet delayed by nearly a year, big questions remains on what it will take to plug the Indian Air Force's fighter jet shortfall. What will it take for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to get the Tejas production line up and running at the speed that the Indian Air Force requires? Is the entry of the private sector to help boost the production of the indigenous fighter jet all but a given now? Also, is there serious thought being put to figuring a roadmap to ensure that the Air Force is never faced with such a capability and technology gap?

Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor discuss and analyse these questions as they bring the second season of In Our Defence to a close. The two talk about how the Tejas project is just right on the horizon but not quite there yet and how this is going to be the proverbial do-or-die moment of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The two also look at some of the tough decisions that military planners in the government will be faced with as they attempt to figure out a roadmap for the Indian Air Force's future fighter jet inductions.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Amitraaz/status/1390136527926153217 ---> Integrated Life Support System-On Board oxygen Generating System (ILSS-OBOGS).

[maitya]

Arihant_Ray on X: Astra BVR aam will be test fired from Tejas mk1A within the next 15 days

Why HAL give timeline when they can't meet.

Though this news-item has been already posted in the MK1 thread, still posting here to understand it's relevance wrt Mk1A ...
Tejas combat jet test-fires Astra missile

“The successful test-firing is a significant milestone towards the induction of the LCA AF MK1A variant,” the ministry said in a statement.

In the Photo (not sure if it is just a representative image), the Tail number is 5022, so Mk1-FOC std SP26, that flew in 2021 etc ... and was designated as the Mk1A baseline.

[Aditya_V]

This is Tweet from MOD

https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/18 ... 6667999703

PIB realease

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2111068

eronautical Development Agency (ADA) has successfully conducted test-launch of homegrown ASTRA, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from LCA AF MK1 prototype fighter aircraft. The test launch was carried out on March 12, 2025 off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha.

The successful test-firing is a significant milestone towards the induction of LCA AF MK1A variant.

I think the aircraft was not LCA Tejas Mk1 but LCA Tejas MK 1 Prototype, it probably means the Protype Aircraft had EL 2052 radar and hence the talk of Milestone for LCA MK1A Aircraft

[vonkabra]

Does the Mk1A have a cannon? Asking because the one on the Tejas does not seem to be operational even now.

[Aditya_V]

Based on general info I think from LCA Tejas MK1 FOC onwards GSH canons are working

[ashishvikas]

This is Tweet from MOD

https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/18 ... 6667999703

PIB realease

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2111068

eronautical Development Agency (ADA) has successfully conducted test-launch of homegrown ASTRA, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from LCA AF MK1 prototype fighter aircraft. The test launch was carried out on March 12, 2025 off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha.

The successful test-firing is a significant milestone towards the induction of LCA AF MK1A variant.

I think the aircraft was not LCA Tejas Mk1 but LCA Tejas MK 1 Prototype, it probably means the Protype Aircraft had EL 2052 radar and hence the talk of Milestone for LCA MK1A Aircraft

Both are Mk1.

The first was only a ballistic launch to check for safe separation.

This one was guided to a flying target 100+km away.

https://x.com/indrani1_roy/status/19001 ... 27807?s=46

[maitya]

First rear fuselage for LCA Mk1A made by Alpha Tocol Engineering handed over to HAL in Bengaluru


...

Here's a closeup of this rear-fuselage: From X @ShiroBarks: Mk1A Rear Fuselage

And now From X @ShiroBarks: Center Fuselage by VEM Technologies

[ashishvikas]

Here's a closeup of this rear-fuselage: From X @ShiroBarks: Mk1A Rear Fuselage

And now From X @ShiroBarks: Center Fuselage by VEM Technologies

Sir, they are for Mk1. Center, Rear & Front fuselage were all delivered by private vendors. Mk1A would have some changes but shouldn't be very different.

[maitya]

And now From X @ShiroBarks: Center Fuselage by VEM Technologies

Sir, they are for Mk1. Center, Rear & Front fuselage were all delivered by private vendors. Mk1A would have some changes but shouldn't be very different.

Actually that's where the confusion is: All along, for the Mk1 deliveries, we have known Alpha Tocol, VEM Industries, TASL et all have been producing Rear, Middle, Front, Wing(s), Tail etc etc structural assemblies.
So suddenly, what happened, that the rear-fuselage assembly for Mk1A delivery by Alpha Tocol, is getting all these publicities - that too in presence of DM, Air Chief et all. I mean, if they were getting delivered all along, for the Mk1 tranches, shouldn't this also have been a std BaU delivery?

And also what is all this talk of HAL's Aerospace Composites Division having delivered the first 12 rear-fuselage assemblies for MK1A production line(s)?

[srai]

Images from twitter posts above

[drnayar]

And now From X @ShiroBarks: Center Fuselage by VEM Technologies

Sir, they are for Mk1. Center, Rear & Front fuselage were all delivered by private vendors. Mk1A would have some changes but shouldn't be very different.

HAL Is doing just canopy and windscreen? For mk 1a ?.. so it's more of an integrator

[srai]

^^^
HAL also does these subassemblies. Tier-1 private partners augment HAL’s capacities.

HAL by itself is expanding to 24/year and with these private partners it can reach 30/year capacity.

[maitya]

HALs Nashik unit to roll out first Light Combat Aircraft MK1A by April end

Other than the headlines, nothing special in the news item wrt MK1A, except for:
1) The Nashik Line has been idle from 2019-20 onwards
2) It took only 150Cr to setup this assembly line - must be a typo!!

[maitya]

Sir, they are for Mk1. Center, Rear & Front fuselage were all delivered by private vendors. Mk1A would have some changes but shouldn't be very different.

Actually that's where the confusion is: All along, for the Mk1 deliveries, we have known Alpha Tocol, VEM Industries, TASL et all have been producing Rear, Middle, Front, Wing(s), Tail etc etc structural assemblies.
So suddenly, what happened, that the rear-fuselage assembly for Mk1A delivery by Alpha Tocol, is getting all these publicities - that too in presence of DM, Air Chief et all. I mean, if they were getting delivered all along, for the Mk1 tranches, shouldn't this also have been a std BaU delivery?

And also what is all this talk of HAL's Aerospace Composites Division having delivered the first 12 rear-fuselage assemblies for MK1A production line(s)?

Quoting my own post, as things are becoming more and more murkier/confusing - the rear-fuselage (delivered by Alpha Tocol) image by @ShireBarks in X, now says Rear Fuselage Of Lca Delivered By Alpha-Tocol To Hal - 2021 image.
What's going on?

====================================================================================================
PS: The same tweet has images of the Center Fuselage by VEM Technologies, Frontal Fuselage from Dynamatic Technologies, Air Intake Assembly by LMW, Fin & Rudder Assemblies by NAL/TASL and Actuators by Godrej.

[Rakesh]

Ab to pick up ho gaya... The story is likely to run and run.

‘No Confidence’: IAF Chief Scolds HAL
https://www.livefistdefence.com/no-conf ... colds-hal/

VIDEO: https://x.com/livefist/status/1898265629250945268 ---> “This is ridiculous!” IAF Chief, ACM AP Singh’s first comments on his video scolding HAL officials on the Tejas Mk1A at Aero India. This was today at the @IndiaToday Conclave.

The Full Interview is here ---> viewtopic.php?p=2641541#p2641541

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/shreedharsingh9/status/18 ... 1676586415 ---> ASRAAM integrated with Tejas Mk1A.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Ray70409890/status/1899006151901036648 ---> Earlier, holes on the skin of Tejas wings were drilled manually which took 25-35 minutess. With the introduction of a robotic drilling machine, now each hole takes 1 minute to drill. There are around 8,000 holes to be drilled in total out of which 66% are drilled with the machine.

https://x.com/Ray70409890/status/1899007917027639647 ---> This greatly reduces wing fabrication cycle time. The top bottom skins,ribs, spars are all made from composites. Only the LE slats are made from an Al alloy. Both wings store ~ 1,220 kg of fuel. Tejas has the highest composite % both by empty weight and wetted area.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/Ray70409890/status/1898714199150182782 ---> LA-5037 and another Tejas Mk1A in yellow primer can be seen on the right side. LT-5208, the last trainer from the IOC + FOC batch and LT-5209, the first trainer from 83 Mk1A batch can be seen on the left side.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/writetake/status/1901854709159514262 ---> So folks, sources in HAL confirm that its Nasik Division will, in all probability, roll out the first LCAMK1A (also known as LCA Alpha) soon. I understand 'soon' means by the end of April or the first week of May. This will be a huge confidence boost for the second-largest wing of HAL, which has so far produced MiGs + Su-30MKIs. During the Aero India 2025 inaugural, four Made-in-Bengaluru Alphas flew in the Finger Four aka Yodha formation. With so much focus on this delayed upgradation program now, HAL is confident of delivering the promised fighters to the IAF starting from the next fiscal year (2025-2026). Let’s stay positive!

[srai]

https://x.com/shreedharsingh9/status/18 ... 1676586415 ---> ASRAAM integrated with Tejas Mk1A.

This is where DRDO/HAL et al lack a good marketing opportunity to showcase a full weapons load out

Tejas-1 - Air superiority
1 x SPJ
2 x ASRAAM
4 x Astra BVR
1 x 725-ltr centerline tank

Tejas-2 - Multi-role
1 x SPJ
1 x ASRAAM
2 x Astra BVR
2 x 800-ltr tanks
1 x LGB / TARA

Tejas-3 - PGM Strike
1 x SPJ
1 x ASRAAM
3 x LGB / TARA
2 x 800-ltr tanks

Tejas-4 - Anti-airfield Strike
1 x SPJ
1 x ASRAAM
2 x 800-ltr tanks
8 x SAAW

Tejas-5 - CAP
1 x SPJ
2 x ASRAAM
2 x Astra BVR
2 x 1200-ltr tanks


Nothing like marketing visuals for the ACM and media

[ashishvikas]

Actually that's where the confusion is: All along, for the Mk1 deliveries, we have known Alpha Tocol, VEM Industries, TASL et all have been producing Rear, Middle, Front, Wing(s), Tail etc etc structural assemblies.
So suddenly, what happened, that the rear-fuselage assembly for Mk1A delivery by Alpha Tocol, is getting all these publicities - that too in presence of DM, Air Chief et all. I mean, if they were getting delivered all along, for the Mk1 tranches, shouldn't this also have been a std BaU delivery?

And also what is all this talk of HAL's Aerospace Composites Division having delivered the first 12 rear-fuselage assemblies for MK1A production line(s)?

Quoting my own post, as things are becoming more and more murkier/confusing - the rear-fuselage (delivered by Alpha Tocol) image by @ShireBarks in X, now says Rear Fuselage Of Lca Delivered By Alpha-Tocol To Hal - 2021 image.
What's going on?

====================================================================================================
PS: The same tweet has images of the Center Fuselage by VEM Technologies, Frontal Fuselage from Dynamatic Technologies, Air Intake Assembly by LMW, Fin & Rudder Assemblies by NAL/TASL and Actuators by Godrej.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) had delivered SP-16 wings in 2020.

https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2 ... r.amp.html

It seems even when private sectors can make assemblies, HAL do most of stuff in-house and only token orders are outsourced.

[srai]

^^^
Tail-end of 20Mk1 FOC production is when few of these major subassemblies were delivered by private partners.

Now with follow-on 83 Mk1A/trainer and subsequent 97 Mk1A/trainer, there would be an expectation that these private partners scale up.

Out of the planned 30/year production rate, these private tier-1 vendors should provide over time at least 50% of these subassemblies.

Then in parallel begin the subassemblies by these private partners for 120 Mk2 and 120 AMCA Mk1. At least 50%. Increase the completion of these subassemblies i.e. wiring et al.

Eventually, promote one of these aerospace companies to be full-fledged final integrator with assembly lines.

Let’s see how it goes … it’s up to the new “Committee” now

[ashishvikas]

First #GEF404 engine set to power #LCAMk1A on final tests

By Anantha Krishnan M /#TMH

instagram.com/writetake/

#Kuttemperoor (Kerala), March 20, 2025: The good news is here. The wait is over, and the engines are coming to power new variants of the Light Combat Aircraft (#LCAMk1A).

The #GEF404 is all set to touchdown in India, putting an end to the stalemate, the debate, and the concerns.

Here are some key verified facts that will answer all your doubts on the 'missing power plant' of LCA.

1. The first engine to power the #LCAMk1A aka #LCAAlpha is currently undergoing the final round of checks on the test bed at the GE Aerospace facility in Lynn.

2. These are extensive & critical tests, considering the engine line has been idle for a long time.

3. The first engine is expected to arrive in India via freight in April.

4. Those familiar with the current production schedules at Nashik say that the workforce is doing a good job, considering their expertise in handling MiG variants and #Su30MkIs.

5. "The speed at which the first aircraft is coming out is a testament to their decades of experience," an official told Tarmak Media House (TMH).

6. Into its 61st year of existence, the Nashik Division, popularly known as the MiG Complex, will soon add another chapter to its long history of rolling out fighters for the #IAF.

7. The official mentioned that 3-4 Alphas are already in different stages of production at the Nashik plant.

8. Meanwhile, in #Bengaluru, there are already 3 Alphas undertaking flight trials powered by GE Cat-B engines.

9. These 3 Alphas had flown during the 2025 #PlaneCarnival inaugural ceremony.

10. The roll out of the #LCAMk1A from Nashik be a new chapter to India's military aviation history.

(Copyright@TMH)

#avgeeks #lca #tejas #hal #iaf #drdo #ada #hamaratejas #military #aerospace #defence #tarmakmediahouse

@tarmakmedia @billionbeatz @HALHQBLR @IAF_MCC @DRDO_India

https://x.com/writetake/status/1902712425352450151?s=46

[srai]

^^^

…
2. These are extensive & critical tests, considering the engine line has been idle for a long time.
…

Again, why F-404 was never considered as ToT license production? (aka “Atmanirbhar Bharat” )

Highlights potential long-term availability issues … 40-year life of Tejas fleet.

[fanne]

it is still not too late.If we order 97 follow on, we should also go for license manufacture of f404. Many parts/tech could be similar to f414 and that deal can be leveraged for f404 (meaning lesser price than otherwise).