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

[Bharadwaj]

^^^^^^
I am aware of the mk1 trial in march but the range requirement from the missile would be less given the mmr/2032. The aesa on the mk1a would allow the extremes of the envelope to be used.

[pravula]

The article quotes HAL CMD as saying astra and asraam firing results are under analysis. My wild guess is that there is a kinematics issue at play given the astra mk1 missile has been primarily tested on the su30 which is a twin engined, powerful bird which can impart high energy from good launch parameters. The Tejas may not be able to achieve those same parameters hence the missile control and profile may have to be adjusted. Just my wild guess theory for the delays.

India inks $1 billion deal for 113 Tejas engines
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... 171071.cms
08 Nov 2025

Lets hope not. None of IAF's potential next fighters can cross Mach 2.

[Bharadwaj]

Indranil's tweet here seems to have a hint that this is indeed a solution that has to be found at the missile end of things.

https://x.com/Indrani1_Roy/status/1980355915971981550 ---> Lack of knowledge or inability to discuss where "failure" is happening in Astra Mk1 integration on LCA Mk1A. Suffice to say: Not everybody agrees that the latest test was a failure. Next tests are in the next few weeks and will benefit every Astra variant from every aircraft.

[Rakesh]

HAL inks $1-billion fighter engine deal with GE
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 03367.html
08 Nov 2025

https://x.com/prasannavishy/status/1986 ... 24058?s=20 ---> HAL–GE close a US $1 billion engine deal for 113 F-404s, doubling India’s total orders to 212. Definitely shot in the arm for LCA Tejas Mk1A production. The roadmap looks solid with higher indigenisation (64%), Uttam AESA, new EW suite, and a secure engine supply line. But execution risks remain given GE’s past delivery delays, HAL’s integration backlog, and IAF’s timelines.

[ashishvikas]

^^ Would be integrating to see delivery schedule in more details, new contract saying delivery from 2027 - 2032.. as there would be a backlog from old contract in 2027.

I'm hoping GE would ramp up to 20 in 2026 and 30 by 2027.

2025: 12 [planned]

Backlog as of end of 2025: 200.

2026: 20
2027: 30
2028: 30
2029: 30
2030: 30
2031: 30
2032: 30

Delivery wouldn’t be this much consistent and there would always a few hits and misses.

[KSingh]

Indranil's tweet here seems to have a hint that this is indeed a solution that has to be found at the missile end of things.

https://x.com/Indrani1_Roy/status/1980355915971981550 ---> Lack of knowledge or inability to discuss where "failure" is happening in Astra Mk1 integration on LCA Mk1A. Suffice to say: Not everybody agrees that the latest test was a failure. Next tests are in the next few weeks and will benefit every Astra variant from every aircraft.

So what part of this is HAL’s fault?

I’m not fan of theirs and wish they were divested more and could run themselves more as an independent entity away from babu control but they are also the main aerospace entity India has and kicking them down will harm every ongoing and future aero project India has and will only benefit screwdriver imports and the enemy

HAL is stacking up airframes and expanding their production footprint. As they get GE engines they get mated to airframes, when IAF is happy work certification of the weapons HAL is ready to deliver. So again, what part of this is HAL’s fault?

[ashthor]

How many more engines have come? Everyone has gone silent.

[S_Madhukar]

is $1B such a big deal for GE ? Unkil can print that tomorrow or other commercial jet engines might make up for that amount.

[Kartik]

How many more engines have come? Everyone has gone silent.

What I've seen is the 5th GE F-404-IN20 engine ready, at what appeared to be GE's Lynn Massachusetts facility. But it appears 4 have been delivered to HAL so far and this 5th one too would be on it's way.

[ashishvikas]

How many more engines have come? Everyone has gone silent.

What I've seen is the 5th GE F-404-IN20 engine ready, at what appeared to be GE's Lynn Massachusetts facility. But it appears 4 have been delivered to HAL so far and this 5th one too would be on it's way.

5th and 6th last month only..

5th & 6th engines are ready !! and that’s 2 in a month with total 6 engines available for HAL to integrate.

https://x.com/yedwise/status/1983411702990549450

[Kartik]

What I've seen is the 5th GE F-404-IN20 engine ready, at what appeared to be GE's Lynn Massachusetts facility. But it appears 4 have been delivered to HAL so far and this 5th one too would be on it's way.

5th and 6th last month only..

5th & 6th engines are ready !! and that’s 2 in a month with total 6 engines available for HAL to integrate.

https://x.com/yedwise/status/1983411702990549450

Thanks. That's good overall. Looks like HAL will have almost 12-15 engines delivered by the time they manage to get the Astra Mk1 integration issue fixed.

[Aditya_V]

Ideally we should have some with Uttam- AstraMk2 before Sindoor part 2 starts - they way things are going this will definitely be round the corner.

[Kartik]

Ideally we should have some with Uttam- AstraMk2 before Sindoor part 2 starts - they way things are going this will definitely be round the corner.

The first Uttam AESA radar will appear on the next batch of 97 Tejas Mk1A and Tejas trainers that have been ordered.

[Aditya_V]

I am not sure of that, I think the plan is still GAS based Uttam from the 41st Aircraft, the 97 order will get GAN based Uttam

[Kartik]

I am not sure of that, I think the plan is still GAS based Uttam from the 41st Aircraft, the 97 order will get GAN based Uttam

No, the plan now is for the Uttam to be used only starting from the new batch of 97 Tejas Mk1As. The entire lot of 73 Tejas Mk1A single seaters will be equipped with the Elta 2052.

Once Uttam comes in, Meteor will come as well for which initial integration activities would have most likely commenced.

[basant]

FIGHTER @FighterPiloting

Multiple successful firings of Astra Mk1s & ASRAAMs from Tejas-Mk1/Mk1A prototypes & production planes of IAF by HAL-ADA resulted in the largest all-aspect operational envelope ahead & behind any combat aircraft in India, clearing all major hurdles for op induction of the AAMs.

9:46 PM · Nov 23, 2025

FWIW

[Cain Marko]

I thought Tejas' main long ranged AAM was the iderby extended version? Isn't this like a meteor lite?

[basant]

I am not aware of any version of Derby being tested on the Mk1A. As far as Astra was concerned, the proposed upgrades post last trials were pending for approval. Not sure of the current status.

[Kartik]

I thought Tejas' main long ranged AAM was the iderby extended version? Isn't this like a meteor lite?

We don't have any i-Derby ER. What the IAF has is ex-Navy stocks of the standard Derby BVRAAM that were bought with the Sea Harrier LUSH upgrade. Astra Mk1 and soon Astra Mk2 will be the Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A's primary BVRAAM weapon. And Gandiva whenever it's ready and in production.

Meteor BVRAAM integration with the next batch of 97 Tejas Mk1A will allow the IAF to use the stocks of Meteors bought with the Rafale as well as the new upcoming purchase, with the single seaters equipped with Uttam radar.

[uddu]

Astra Mk1 and soon Astra Mk2 will be the Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A's primary BVRAAM weapon. And Gandiva whenever it's ready and in production.

There is talk of a new variant of the MK2 with 200 plus km range called the Astra NG. So its going to be MK1, MK2, NG and Gandiva

[uddu]

FIGHTER @FighterPiloting

Multiple successful firings of Astra Mk1s & ASRAAMs from Tejas-Mk1/Mk1A prototypes & production planes of IAF by HAL-ADA resulted in the largest all-aspect operational envelope ahead & behind any combat aircraft in India, clearing all major hurdles for op induction of the AAMs.

9:46 PM · Nov 23, 2025

FWIW

No other accounts are reporting it. Probably waiting for analyzing the results before claiming it. If this is true, 6 Tejas MK1A can fly on Jan 26 Republic day parade.

[Bharadwaj]

^^^^^^

HVT reposted it and the above tweeter has been very credible in the past from what I have seen.

[uddu]

^^^^^^

HVT reposted it and the above tweeter has been very credible in the past from what I have seen.

Sirji is the like the unofficial official spokesperson. So news will be coming soon.