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.

[Manish_P]

^ It will be great if it happens.

Will show the world naysayers the trust the force has in the Tejas.

The late Wing-Co would smile down from the heavens

[uddu]

https://x.com/shreedharsingh9/status/19 ... 6635635007
@shreedharsingh9
2× Hammer Guided Bomb with Tejas

[uddu]

Hope the IAF dont keep Tejas MK1A grounded till Meteor is integrated. Hopefully induction process is initiated and soon a handover ceremony is to take place.
https://x.com/InsightGL/status/1993337616113258905
@InsightGL
-While #Pakistan is busy making memes & #China spreading propaganda #India’s Tejas continues to progress
-LCA Tejas Mk-1A successfully completed Weapons Integration Trials, including the firing of Astra Mk1 & ASRAAM missiles
-Next step Meteor integration
-We are coming for you…

[basant]

Hope the IAF dont keep Tejas MK1A grounded till Meteor is integrated. Hopefully induction process is initiated and soon a handover ceremony is to take place.
https://x.com/InsightGL/status/1993337616113258905
@InsightGL
-While #Pakistan is busy making memes & #China spreading propaganda #India’s Tejas continues to progress
-LCA Tejas Mk-1A successfully completed Weapons Integration Trials, including the firing of Astra Mk1 & ASRAAM missiles
-Next step Meteor integration
-We are coming for you…

Meteor will be integrated with the Uttam radar, not the one on the first lot of Mk1As.

[Cain Marko]

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.

Oh. That makes sense. I'm not sure if the mk1 radar could exploit long range AAMs. Although meteors seems like a coostly proposition tbh.

[uddu]

Promised engines of 2 per month by GE is not happening. May be the undeclared sanction of engines are already there.
Tejas Mk2 Update & 5th Engine of the Mk1A | हिंदी में
This is a video on Tejas Mk2 Update & 5th Engine of the Mk1A

[ashishvikas]

Promised engines of 2 per month by GE is not happening. May be the undeclared sanction of engines are already there.
Tejas Mk2 Update & 5th Engine of the Mk1A | हिंदी में
This is a video on Tejas Mk2 Update & 5th Engine of the Mk1A

5th and 6th engine was ready for delivery in Oct itself, im not sure which source can be trusted on this piece of information.

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

[uddu]

Ready for Delivery and Delivered are two different things. 2 weeks before Apache was on the way to be delivered. But returned back to the U.S because tiny Turkey blocked their delivery and the aircraft choose to go back rather than go around Turkey through Israel, Jordan, Saudi, Oman and into India.

[drnayar]

So how are the GE engines being delivered to India.. can turkey "block" shipment ?.. in an event of war etc

[ashishvikas]

Ready for Delivery and Delivered are two different things. 2 weeks before Apache was on the way to be delivered. But returned back to the U.S because tiny Turkey blocked their delivery and the aircraft choose to go back rather than go around Turkey through Israel, Jordan, Saudi, Oman and into India.

Yes, but since source for both information is not from official sources, we can’t make any conclusion.

I’m hopeful by Dec, GE can deliver a few more and close 2025 by 7-8 engines.

[basant]

Ready for Delivery and Delivered are two different things. 2 weeks before Apache was on the way to be delivered. But returned back to the U.S because tiny Turkey blocked their delivery and the aircraft choose to go back rather than go around Turkey through Israel, Jordan, Saudi, Oman and into India.

So they couldn't fly it around after crossing Turkey airspace? Or ship it via another path? Or ship it, literally? I mean how silly this argument sounds!

[uddu]

What I am saying is that the Turkey story is fishy. Probably U.S is bargaining with military wares.

[ashishvikas]

What I am saying is that the Turkey story is fishy. Probably U.S is bargaining with military wares.

Yes may be, but at the moment these are not confirmed sources.

But also do consider, last month HAL placed additional orders of same engine.

[Kartik]

Oh. That makes sense. I'm not sure if the mk1 radar could exploit long range AAMs. Although meteors seems like a coostly proposition tbh.

The Elta 2032 can support the Astra Mk1 up to it's full range. With cooperative targeting capability, that has been in the works for the Tejas fleet (we know that from the Bharat Shakti visit to the IAF's Software Development Institute), sensor and shooter can be different Tejas fighters so that a Tejas that is nose cold can fire the Astra Mk1 at a target that is being illuminated by a different Tejas Mk1.

Meteor integration makes sense- it allows the IAF to give it's Tejas Mk1A fleet a very long range BVRAAM that is already held in IAF stocks. IAF ordered 200 of them in the first buy and there's going to be another follow on purchase soon. Plus the IN will get it's own Meteor stocks as well. It also derisks the Gandiva timeline.

[uddu]

Fighter ejection seat indigenized. Engines pending.
Video in the link
https://x.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/19 ... 3456893267
@DefenceMinIndia
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of fighter aircraft escape system at precisely controlled velocity of 800 km/h- validating canopy severance, ejection sequencing and complete aircrew-recovery at Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh.

[basant]

Well, it might just be 'high-speed rocket-sled test of fighter aircraft escape system':

Indranil Roy @Indrani1_Roy
I think this is being misunderstood. I don’t think this is a new ejection seat by DRDO. In fact, this very much looks like the Martin Baker TJ16 ejection seat on Tejas.

Many things go into a safe ejection system beyond the seat itself.

A thread.
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1:38 AM · Dec 3, 2025

[uddu]

News report from 9th Sep 2025
ADA and HAL Team Up with Private Sector for Indigenous Ejection Seats
https://news.defenceprofessionals.in/de ... ion-seats/

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are collaborating with private sector firms to create indigenous ejection seats for the Tejas and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programs, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and enhance self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This initiative faces challenges due to the established reputation of Martin-Baker, necessitating stringent testing and certification to ensure pilot safety and reliability. By fostering domestic production and innovation, India aims to strengthen its defense capabilities while mitigating supply chain risks amid geopolitical uncertainties, thereby enhancing operational autonomy for its fighter jet programs.

2024 news report
HAL to Indigenize Ejection Seat for HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft
https://www.thedefencematrix.in/hal-to- ... r-aircraft

HAL has released an RFI in which they are inviting responses from eligible Companies with manufacturing facilities in India for the indigenisation of Ejection Seats for use in HTT40 Turbo Trainer Aircraft with a minimum indigenous content of 50%. Ejection seats may be developed in the form of lower assemblies / sub-assemblies herein after being termed as Shop Replaceable Units (SRUs)

October 2025 there was a report about "HTT-40 Trainer Programme Faces Indefinite Delays Due to British Firm's Failure to Supply Ejection Seats, Jeopardizing IAF's Critical Pilot Training"

This could be an indigenous effort or if at preliminary stage, testing MB seats to ensure that the testing facility is setup correctly and functions for any future tests planned. Also remember reading a statement by HAL Test pilot (Mostly HVT) about HAL already having the knowhow or having created a prototype of an ejection seat.