Why this matters now
Tejas is tested for: ADA + HAL roles; 1983 sanction at Rs 560 crore (became Rs 14,000+ crore); first flight 4 January 2001 (prototype technology demonstrator TD-1) by Wg Cdr Rajiv Kothiyal; Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) 2011 + Final Operational Clearance (FOC) 2019; 83-aircraft Tejas Mk-1A order Feb 2021 (Rs 48,000 crore); the Mk-2 Medium Weight Fighter under development; HAL share-price tripling in 2024; Tejas Mk-1A Naval Variant.
History (1983-2016)
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1969 | IAF identifies need for indigenous fighter to replace MiG-21. |
| 1983 | LCA programme sanctioned at Rs 560 crore; ADA established. |
| 1986 | HAL selected as principal partner. |
| 1990 | Programme Definition Phase begins. |
| 1995 | 1st prototype TD-1 rolled out 17 Nov 1995 by PM Narasimha Rao. |
| 4 Jan 2001 | First flight TD-1 by Wg Cdr Rajiv Kothiyal. |
| 4 May 2003 | PM Vajpayee names the aircraft “Tejas”. |
| 10 Jan 2011 | Initial Operational Clearance (IOC-I). |
| 20 Dec 2013 | IOC-II. |
| 1 July 2016 | No. 45 Squadron “Flying Daggers” — first Tejas squadron at Sulur AFS, Tamil Nadu. |
| 20 Feb 2019 | Final Operational Clearance (FOC). |
| 27 May 2020 | No. 18 Squadron “Flying Bullets” raised. |
Tejas Mk-1A & Mk-2
The Tejas Mk-1A is the upgraded variant with 43 improvements over Mk-1: new AESA radar (Uttam, indigenous), electronic warfare suite (Unified Electronic Warfare Suite UEWS), digital flight control computer, BVR missile (Astra Mk-1), refuelling probe, and on-board oxygen-generation system.
Order Feb 2021: 83 Tejas Mk-1A (73 fighters + 10 trainers) at Rs 48,000 crore. 1st delivery 11 October 2023 — LSP-7. 1st full Mk-1A test flight 28 March 2024. PM Modi inducted 1st Mk-1A into IAF at HAL Bangalore on 27 February 2024. Additional 97-aircraft Mk-1A order approved 30 Nov 2023 by Defence Acquisition Council, contract signed November 2024 = total 180 Mk-1A.
Tejas Mk-2 (Medium Weight Fighter, MWF): Sanctioned 2022 at Rs 9000 crore + production at Rs 60,000 crore. Single-engine GE F414. Range 2500 km; 6.5-tonne weapon load (vs Mk-1A’s 3.5 tonnes). Maiden flight targeted 2026; induction 2028.
Exports + Naval Tejas
Naval Tejas (LCA-N): Maiden ski-jump take-off from INS Vikramaditya 11 January 2020; arrested landing 11 Jan 2020. Twin-engine successor: Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) for INS Vikrant + INS Vishal.
Export interest: Argentina (signed LoI for 15 Tejas June 2023, withdrawn under Milei Dec 2023). Egypt (talks 2024). Malaysia chose South Korea’s FA-50 over Tejas Feb 2023. Philippines + Nigeria + Botswana negotiations ongoing 2025.
UPSC angle
Know TEJAS LCA — HAL+ADA indigenous 4.5-gen single-engine multirole fighter; sanctioned 1983 Rs 560 cr (became Rs 14000+ cr); 1st prototype TD-1 rolled 17 Nov 1995 PM Narasimha Rao; 1ST FLIGHT 4 JANUARY 2001 Wg Cdr Rajiv Kothiyal; PM Vajpayee named “Tejas” 4 May 2003; IOC-I 10 Jan 2011, IOC-II 20 Dec 2013; FOC 20 Feb 2019; 1st squadron 45 SQUADRON “FLYING DAGGERS” SULUR AFS TN 1 JULY 2016; 18 Sqn “Flying Bullets” 27 May 2020; TEJAS MK-1A 43 improvements (UTTAM AESA RADAR indigenous, UEWS Unified EW Suite, digital FCC, Astra Mk-1 BVR, refuelling probe, OBOGS); ORDER FEB 2021 83 Mk-1A (73 fighter + 10 trainer) Rs 48000 cr; 1st delivery 11 Oct 2023 LSP-7; PM Modi inducted 1st Mk-1A 27 Feb 2024 HAL Bangalore; additional 97 Mk-1A approved DAC 30 Nov 2023 = TOTAL 180 Mk-1A; TEJAS MK-2 MWF sanctioned 2022 Rs 9000 cr dev + Rs 60000 cr production, single-engine GE F414, range 2500 km, 6.5-tonne weapon load, maiden flight target 2026 induction 2028; NAVAL TEJAS LCA-N maiden ski-jump INS Vikramaditya 11 Jan 2020 + arrested landing same day, successor TWIN ENGINE DECK BASED FIGHTER (TEDBF) for INS Vikrant + Vishal; export Argentina LoI 15 Tejas June 2023 (withdrawn Milei Dec 2023), Egypt+Philippines+Nigeria+Botswana, Malaysia chose FA-50 Feb 2023.
Frequently asked questions
When was Tejas first flown?
On 4 January 2001 — the TD-1 prototype was flown by Wg Cdr Rajiv Kothiyal at Bangalore.
When did Tejas enter IAF service?
Officially on 1 July 2016 with No. 45 Squadron “Flying Daggers” at Sulur AFS, Tamil Nadu.
What is Tejas Mk-1A?
An upgraded variant with 43 improvements over Mk-1 — AESA radar (Uttam), unified EW suite, digital FCC, Astra BVR, refuelling probe. 1st delivery to IAF on 11 October 2023.
What is Tejas Mk-2?
The Medium Weight Fighter (MWF) variant under development — single-engine GE F414, 2500 km range, 6.5-tonne weapon load. Maiden flight target 2026.