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

[Bharadwaj]

https://x.com/ANI/status/1971203783603470413

Hal CMD saying firing trial will be over in OCT and first two aircraft will be handed over. In the grand scheme of things one month further delay is not going to matter much but there is no doubt in my opinion that HAL underestimated the challenge of integrating an aesa radar into existing radome and integrating new weapons.

[ashishvikas]

https://x.com/ANI/status/1971203783603470413

Hal CMD saying firing trial will be over in OCT and first two aircraft will be handed over. In the grand scheme of things one month further delay is not going to matter much but there is no doubt in my opinion that HAL underestimated the challenge of integrating an aesa radar into existing radome and integrating new weapons.

I'd rather not take any CMDs statement as any type of commitment from HAL. [they simply lack ownership of their words]

[uddu]

Its not that Astra is not fired. It must have been done by now, if not for the failure and the need to change the code. If the next test also fails, indeed timeline will get extended or it will be done by that time. If they thought the safe option is the Israeli radar and that ended up as the problem, then its the lack of confidence of Babudom in indigenous systems that's delaying our program. Another is the GE engines.

[Bharadwaj]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFQ43e2rYxE

Mr Snehesh of Print claiming deliveries will only start end of first quarter 2026. But then he goes on a rant about the whole Tejas program so I have my doubts about his claims.

[uddu]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFQ43e2rYxE

Mr Snehesh of Print claiming deliveries will only start end of first quarter 2026. But then he goes on a rant about the whole Tejas program so I have my doubts about his claims.

Ignore. Print is known for propaganda. The defense reporting will not be immune to this problem.

[LakshmanPST]

Break up of 97 order is 68 Single seaters and 29 twin seaters...
----
Mk1 is 32 S + 8T
1st Mk1A order is 73 S + 10T
2nd Mk1A order is 68 S + 29T (I expected it to be 89S + 8T)
That is total 32 Mk1 SingleSeaters, 141 Mk1A SingleSeaters and 47 TwinSeaters
----
Honestly, these numbers are confusing... I guess only IAF ppl know how they're planning to organize them into squadrons...
But one thing is true---> The high no. of Twin seaters would mean that Twin seaters might be used for combat roles as well, not as just trainers...
----
One possibility I see is how Rafales are organized ---> 18 jets per squadron with break-up of 14 Single + 4 Twin seaters...
If we put aside Mk1s order (32 S+8T), the break-up of Mk1A orders is 141 Single seaters + 39 Twin seaters, with total of 180 jets...
That is approximately 14 Single and 4 Twin seaters per squadron with total 10 squadrons of Mk1A jets...

[KSingh]

https://x.com/ANI/status/1971203783603470413

Hal CMD saying firing trial will be over in OCT and first two aircraft will be handed over. In the grand scheme of things one month further delay is not going to matter much but there is no doubt in my opinion that HAL underestimated the challenge of integrating an aesa radar into existing radome and integrating new weapons.

I don’t think this has anything to do with the radome size

This is an integration issue between the EL/M-2052 and Astra. Whilst that is part of HAL’s role it is also more complex and involves DRDO, ELTA, CEMILEC etc etc

I just hope that they get this well out of the way with Uttam and because both are DRDO the integration process is much smoother of course will they then have the same issue with Meteor with the 97

Either way the main thing is production is ongoing and when the engine delivery issues and certification of weapons js complete they can hand over the aircraft within a few days/weeks

We’ve got exactly what we all wanted for a LONG time now- large upfront orders in a timely fashion for the LCA. A ~180 order backlog, it’s entirely over to HAL to place orders with their subcontractors and scale production accordingly- I believe they WILL do this, with a few teething issues a along the way but that is to be expected the world over


The deadline for all 83+97 seems to be FY2032-33 from which they want to commence MK.2 production so imaginary deadlines between here and then are immaterial as long as they meet that deadline

The engine supply will likely be the biggest constraint- perhaps the EL/M-2052 and then UTTAM down the road also but I’d expect to see 20-24/yr from 2027-28, a very respectable rate and hopefully straight into MK.2 with AMCA running in parallel (a few squadrons of Rafale thrown in maybe too)

[konaseema]

Break up of 97 order is 68 Single seaters and 29 twin seaters...
----
Mk1 is 32 S + 8T
1st Mk1A order is 73 S + 10T
2nd Mk1A order is 68 S + 29T (I expected it to be 89S + 8T)
That is total 32 Mk1 SingleSeaters, 141 Mk1A SingleSeaters and 47 TwinSeaters
----
Honestly, these numbers are confusing... I guess only IAF ppl know how they're planning to organize them into squadrons...
But one thing is true---> The high no. of Twin seaters would mean that Twin seaters might be used for combat roles as well, not as just trainers...
----
One possibility I see is how Rafales are organized ---> 18 jets per squadron with break-up of 14 Single + 4 Twin seaters...
If we put aside Mk1s order (32 S+8T), the break-up of Mk1A orders is 141 Single seaters + 39 Twin seaters, with total of 180 jets...
That is approximately 14 Single and 4 Twin seaters per squadron with total 10 squadrons of Mk1A jets...

They are planning to use the twin seater variant of Mk1A as the mother ship for the MUMT program (CATS). Hence many of these 29 will be used in that role. There may not be more than 2 trainers per Squadron of Tejas MK1/A.

[konaseema]

https://x.com/ANI/status/1971203783603470413

Hal CMD saying firing trial will be over in OCT and first two aircraft will be handed over. In the grand scheme of things one month further delay is not going to matter much but there is no doubt in my opinion that HAL underestimated the challenge of integrating an aesa radar into existing radome and integrating new weapons.

I don’t think this has anything to do with the radome size

This is an integration issue between the EL/M-2052 and Astra. Whilst that is part of HAL’s role it is also more complex and involves DRDO, ELTA, CEMILEC etc etc

I just hope that they get this well out of the way with Uttam and because both are DRDO the integration process is much smoother of course will they then have the same issue with Meteor with the 97

Either way the main thing is production is ongoing and when the engine delivery issues and certification of weapons js complete they can hand over the aircraft within a few days/weeks

We’ve got exactly what we all wanted for a LONG time now- large upfront orders in a timely fashion for the LCA. A ~180 order backlog, it’s entirely over to HAL to place orders with their subcontractors and scale production accordingly- I believe they WILL do this, with a few teething issues a along the way but that is to be expected the world over


The deadline for all 83+97 seems to be FY2032-33 from which they want to commence MK.2 production so imaginary deadlines between here and then are immaterial as long as they meet that deadline

The engine supply will likely be the biggest constraint- perhaps the EL/M-2052 and then UTTAM down the road also but I’d expect to see 20-24/yr from 2027-28, a very respectable rate and hopefully straight into MK.2 with AMCA running in parallel (a few squadrons of Rafale thrown in maybe too)

Astra Mk1 was tested and certified on the Tejas Mk1 aircraft which has another Israeli radar (EL/M-2032). The additional manufacturing line at Nashik will take the yearly production count to 30, as per certain reports. As long as IAF doesn't add more and more capabilities / additional weapon integrations, to the current Mk1A standard along with a steady stream of 2 engines from GE's stable for the next 2 years, we can count on 24 aircrafts per year for the next 2 years after which, if GE can increase the number of engines, 30 aircrafts per year shouldn't be a problem.

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/19 ... 4282662040 ---> MoD signed a contract with @HALHQBLR for 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft (68 single seaters and 29 twin seaters) with associated equipment for the IAF at Rs 62,370 Cr (excluding taxes) under Buy (India-IDDM), today in New Delhi. The advanced LCA Mk1A integrates the Uttam AESA radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach and control actuators, with 64%+ indigenous content and 67 new indigenous items. Supported by 105 suppliers, the project will generate 11,750 jobs/year over six years. Deliveries will start in 2027-28, boosting IAF capability, Atmanirbhar Bharat & India’s defence preparedness.

[Rakesh]

VIDEO: https://x.com/AjayshreeSamby3/status/19 ... 1624823005 ---> Even if the engine is still running, the delivery doesn't happen, Sunil Bhai Sahab.

[Bharadwaj]

I don’t think this has anything to do with the radome size

I was talking in terms of permeability. Remember the radome is still Cobham. Only recently the DRDO quartz radome has been offered for production.

[Bharadwaj]

VIDEO: https://x.com/AjayshreeSamby3/status/19 ... 1624823005 ---> Even if the engine is still running, the delivery doesn't happen, Sunil Bhai Sahab.

From what I understand from various reports the firing will happen shortly but there is certification work left to be done. Once firing and target destruction happens HAL can get MOD to force IAF to take the aircraft. Nothing wrong with that.

[uddu]

With the first 2 delivery happening the remaining 9 can be delivered quickly based on the availability of engines.

[Bharadwaj]

https://x.com/CNBCTV18News/status/1971432001631596587

Hal CMD tone sounds very very tentative about the ongoing firing trials. One hopes things have gone well and even if there were problems they can be fixed quickly. The weather at Chandipur may be a factor also. Things will clear up only next month.

[Kartik]

Break up of 97 order is 68 Single seaters and 29 twin seaters...
----
Mk1 is 32 S + 8T
1st Mk1A order is 73 S + 10T
2nd Mk1A order is 68 S + 29T (I expected it to be 89S + 8T)
That is total 32 Mk1 SingleSeaters, 141 Mk1A SingleSeaters and 47 TwinSeaters
----
Honestly, these numbers are confusing... I guess only IAF ppl know how they're planning to organize them into squadrons...
But one thing is true---> The high no. of Twin seaters would mean that Twin seaters might be used for combat roles as well, not as just trainers...
----
One possibility I see is how Rafales are organized ---> 18 jets per squadron with break-up of 14 Single + 4 Twin seaters...
If we put aside Mk1s order (32 S+8T), the break-up of Mk1A orders is 141 Single seaters + 39 Twin seaters, with total of 180 jets...
That is approximately 14 Single and 4 Twin seaters per squadron with total 10 squadrons of Mk1A jets...

They are planning to use the twin seater variant of Mk1A as the mother ship for the MUMT program (CATS). Hence many of these 29 will be used in that role. There may not be more than 2 trainers per Squadron of Tejas MK1/A.

On the contrary, those twin seaters will all go to operational squadrons. It's not as if a separate twin seater squadron will be raised with just twin seaters. They'll just have more twin seaters per squadron which will mean that the role of acting as the mothership for the CATS Warrior and other drones and UCAVs will be a mission that Tejas Mk1A squadrons will handle.

With the new 29 Tejas twin seaters being equipped with Uttam AESA radar, they'll be more capable than the current twin seater standard that is built to FOC std.

[Kartik]

I don’t think this has anything to do with the radome size

I was talking in terms of permeability. Remember the radome is still Cobham. Only recently the DRDO quartz radome has been offered for production.

The issue was identified as something that needed software changes on the Astra missile's end. That can't have anything to do with the Tejas Mk1A's radome.

[Cybaru]

https://x.com/SpokespersonMoD/status/19 ... 4282662040 ---> MoD signed a contract with @HALHQBLR for 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft (68 Fighters & 29 Twin Seaters) with associated equipment for the IAF at Rs 62,370 Cr (excl. taxes) under Buy (India-IDDM), today in New Delhi. The advanced LCA Mk1A integrates the Uttam AESA radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach and control actuators, with 64%+ indigenous content and 67 new indigenous items. Supported by 105 suppliers, the project will generate 11,750 jobs/year over six years. Deliveries will start in 2027-28, boosting IAF capability, Atmanirbhar Bharat & India’s defence preparedness.[/img]

All decks cleared for Rafale signature.

[Prem Kumar]

Fantastic news all around!

RM Rajnath Singh has delivered on the following big-ticket items (three of these in just 2025) - a big shoutout to him! He has silently caught up on so much of the pending orders that, without him, would have never materialized

1) 83 original Tejas-mk1a (in 2021)
2) 97 Mk1a follow-up (2025)
3) LCH Prachand (2025)
4) ATAGS (2025)

[Prem Kumar]

Twin-seater doubling up as MUMT is a great idea! By the time Tejas-Mk2 and AMCA come around, these could be perfected on the Mk1a platform.

Since the latter two are also single-seater, we can probably expect the same mix of single:twin seater variants for them

Its also time to go for a B2 type stealth bomber + a heavy, stealthy, twin-seater follow-up to AMCA

[Aditya_V]

There is something happening behind the scenes, no way with GE F404 poor delivery we are staking another 97 Aircraft to be tied to that Engine. We are stupid but not that stupid.

[Tanaji]

There is something happening behind the scenes, no way with GE F404 poor delivery we are staking another 97 Aircraft to be tied to that Engine. We are stupid but not that stupid.

It is impossible to re-engine mk1A with the timelines HAL has committed to.

But then this is HAL whose words and timelines are meaningless. Baghdad Bob had more credibility….

[uddu]

“Tool-Kit” against Tejas & India

[uddu]

Can India’s Tejas Jets Match Global Fighters?

India’s Tejas fighter jets are a symbol of India’s growing air power and defence technology. The Tejas Mark 1 was the first version to enter service. It replaced the old MiG-21 fleet and gave India a lightweight, single-engine multi-role fighter for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It has a digital fly-by-wire system, glass cockpit, and basic radar and electronic warfare systems, along with weapons like air-to-air missiles, bombs, rockets, and a 23 mm cannon. The upgraded Tejas Mark 1A is more advanced. It includes an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, a stronger electronic warfare suite, and the ability to carry beyond-visual-range missiles and precision-guided bombs. The Mark 1A is easier to maintain, faster to service, and has more weapons compatibility, making it the main fighter for the Indian Air Force today. The upcoming Tejas Mark 2 is even more powerful. It uses the GE F414 engine, giving it more thrust and payload capacity. The airframe is larger, with better fuel capacity and range, and it can carry heavier air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. It will also have advanced avionics, next-generation radar, and improved electronic countermeasures, making it suitable for more challenging missions. The Mark 2 is designed to replace older aircraft like the Mirage 2000, Jaguars, and MiG-29, creating a stronger, modern fighter fleet for India.

[uddu]

In the Interview he is saying by Oct. The Interviewer gets it wrong.

Will Be Able To Deliver One Tejas Mark-1A This Month & A Total Of 3 Jets By Oct-End

HAL Inks Rs 62,370 Cr Deal With The Defence MinistryCMD, DK Sunil to CNBC-TV18. Have invested close to Rs 2,000 crore in creating capacity for Tejas with 3 production lines

[Prem Kumar]

Any timelines that come out of the current or previous HAL Chairmen's mouth can be assumed to be a lie unless proven otherwise

[uddu]

Any timelines that come out of the current or previous HAL Chairmen's mouth can be assumed to be a lie unless proven otherwise

October is the timeline. If not, he needs to be fired...not for botching on delivery timelines. Even others are responsible for it, but for the reason that he gave a date. He must be telling, based on the final test of the missile, we plan to deliver it by Oct. The interviewer got it wrong assuming 1 this month, which they published as it is.

[uddu]

https://x.com/arpitkanodia30/status/1971207941949960489
@arpitkanodia30
Here come the people who live in the dream of the Su-30 as a mini-AWACS.

And if it’s supposedly a step behind Rafale, then tell me—does Rafale’s radar even have an ultra–side-lobe antenna?

Is it even an LPI radar? Is it capable of CEC? People just look at range numbers and get happy—so please, don’t get me started.

[uddu]

https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1971543160208904697
@alpha_defense
BREAKING | BEML Limited has entered into a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 26th September 2025 at Pune along with Bharat Forge Limited and Data Patterns (India) Limited, to jointly support the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme and to participate in the Expression of Interest (EoI) floated by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

[uddu]

Indian Air Force | HAL Chairman Hails LCA Tejas Mk1A Defence Deal As ‘Red Letter Day’
On the MoD signing a landmark contract with HAL for the procurement of 97 LCA Tejas Mk1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force, HAL CMD Dr. DK Sunil called it a “red letter day”. He said the new order, with 70% indigenous content, will integrate Indian radar, EW suite, and several advanced systems. The contract, worth nearly ₹65,000 crore, is seen as a major boost for Atmanirbharta in defence.

[uddu]

Finally he corrected his statement to mean its based on the Elta radar-Astra integration being completed. Optimism to deliver 2 aircraft in Oct. The Ones who delayed the initial deliver of the 2 with 2 engines delivered are the ones who choose to go with Elta radars instead of Uttam. Hope the issue gets resolved or else we have to fall back to Uttam.
Testing, Execution & Delivery: HAL MD Updates Plan On LCA Mk1A Order

[ramana]

I am not a radar integration experrt. What exactly is the problem in integrating the Elta radar->Mission Computer-> Astra?
I don't like the idea that Astra was tweaked. I hope they don't cause Mk1A specific Astras in the inventory.
Is the Uttam Radar for Mk1A ready and will it work with the mission computer and Astra?
PMO needs to step in and sort out these squabbles.

[uddu]

I am not a radar integration experrt. What exactly is the problem in integrating the Elta radar->Mission Computer-> Astra?
I don't like the idea that Astra was tweaked. I hope they don't cause Mk1A specific Astras in the inventory.
Is the Uttam Radar for Mk1A ready and will it work with the mission computer and Astra?
PMO needs to step in and sort out these squabbles.

Even I am not an expert. Just taking the bits from what's available online and the failure of Astra test that need software update.
This surely is about integrating the ELM-2052 with Astra. The Chairman mentioned about every other aspects of the test completed meaning the its mostly about the communication between the Radar and the missile especially in flight and its guidance to target. Tweak in Software is mostly about how the communication happens with the new ELM-2052 radar. May be Israelis looked at their radar after the test and cleared it as well.
The information about Uttam is that its flown 125 times on Tejas. Its integration with Astra is not reported. So we don't know much about Astra test fired with Uttam. Probably not yet. This path is much more easier than struggling with ELM-2052
https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2024/0 ... tejas.html
The earlier successful test of Astra MK1 was from LCA AF MK1 prototype fighter aircraft using EL/M-2032.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage ... ID=2111068