HAL Tejas: India’s Homegrown Fighter Jet Revolution – 2025 Breakdown
India’s skies are witnessing a revolution with the HAL Tejas, the country’s first indigenously designed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). A symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), the Tejas is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter that combines agility, advanced avionics, and affordability. From dogfights to aircraft carrier operations, this radiant jet—named “Tejas” (Sanskrit for “Radiant”)—is redefining India’s defense capabilities. In this comprehensive 2025 breakdown, we explore the Tejas’s technology, history, variants, and its role in India’s aerospace ambitions. Watch our detailed YouTube video for an in-depth visual dive!
What is the HAL Tejas?
The HAL Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), is a single-engine, delta-wing fighter designed for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy. Entering service in 2015, it’s built to replace aging MiG-21s, offering multirole capabilities like air superiority, ground attack, and naval operations. Weighing just 6.5 tons empty, its lightweight composite airframe and semi-stealth design make it a nimble contender against global light fighters like the JF-17 Thunder and Saab Gripen.
The Tejas stands as a testament to India’s push for self-reliance, with over 60% indigenous components. Its versatility and affordability make it a cornerstone of India’s defense strategy.
History and Development of the Tejas
The Tejas program began in 1984 to address the IAF’s need for a lightweight, indigenous fighter. Despite challenges like delays and budget overruns, the program has achieved significant milestones:
- 1984: LCA program launched under ADA, with HAL as the manufacturer.
- 2001: First Tejas prototype (TD-1) takes flight.
- 2015: Tejas Mk1 achieves Initial Operational Clearance (IOC).
- 2019: Final Operational Clearance (FOC) enables combat roles.
- 2021: Contract signed for 83 Mk1A jets with upgraded avionics.
- 2025: Mk1A deliveries accelerate, Mk2 prototype nears completion.
Over 50 Mk1 airframes have been delivered by 2025, proving skeptics wrong. The Tejas’s journey reflects India’s determination to master aerospace technology.
Technical Specifications
The Tejas is a compact powerhouse. Below are the key specifications for the Tejas Mk1/Mk1A and projected specs for the Mk2:
Tejas Mk1/Mk1A
- Length: 13.2 m
- Wingspan: 8.2 m
- Weight: 6.5 tons (empty), 13.5 tons (max takeoff)
- Engine: General Electric F404-GE-IN20, 19,000 lbs thrust
- Top Speed: Mach 1.6 (1,975 km/h)
- Range: 1,850 km (ferry), 850 km (combat)
- Ceiling: 50,000 ft
- Payload: 5.3 tons across 8 hardpoints
- G-Limits: +8/-3.5
Tejas Mk2 (Projected)
- Length: 14.2 m
- Weight: 7.5 tons (empty), 17.5 tons (max)
- Engine: GE F414-INS6, 22,000 lbs thrust
- Payload: 6.5 tons
- Range: 2,500 km
- Features: Canard wings, advanced avionics
The Mk1’s delta-wing design ensures agility, while its 40% carbon-fiber airframe reduces radar signature. The Mk2, a medium-weight fighter, promises enhanced power and range, with its prototype set for rollout by October 2025.
Weapons and Avionics
The Tejas’s firepower and avionics make it a formidable multirole fighter:
Weapons
- Air-to-Air: Astra Mk1 (110 km), R-73 (40 km), Derby (50 km)
- Air-to-Ground: AASM Hammer (70 km), HSLD bombs, Sudarshan LGBs
- Anti-Ship: BrahMos-NG (planned for Mk2, 300 km)
- Gun: 23mm GSh-23 cannon
- Rockets: S-8, CRV7 pods
The AASM Hammer’s integration in 2024 enhances precision for close air support and SEAD missions.
Avionics
- Radar: ELTA ELM-2052 AESA (Mk1A, 150 km, tracks 64 targets)
- Sensors: LITENING pod, indigenous EW suite
- Cockpit: Glass cockpit with HUD, multifunction displays
- Mk2 Upgrades: Uttam AESA radar, IRST, advanced datalinks
The ELM-2052 radar boosts situational awareness, while the Mk2’s indigenous Uttam radar reduces foreign dependency.
Operational Roles and Missions
The Tejas excels in multiple roles:
- Air Superiority: Engages enemy fighters with Astra and R-73 missiles.
- Ground Attack: Delivers precision strikes with AASM and HSLD bombs.
- Naval Operations: Proved carrier capability with landings on INS Vikrant in 2024.
- Reconnaissance: Uses LITENING pod for ISR missions.
- Training: Two-seat trainers support IAF squadrons.
The Tejas has shone in exercises like Red Flag and patrols India’s LAC with China, countering threats like Pakistan’s JF-17.
Tejas Variants: Mk1, Mk1A, and Mk2
The Tejas family includes three key variants:
- Tejas Mk1:
- Status: 40 delivered, deployed with IAF’s No. 45 and 18 Squadrons.
- Role: Basic multirole, limited by older MMR radar.
- Tejas Mk1A:
- Status: 83 ordered, deliveries began 2024, targeting 30 jets/year by 2025.
- Upgrades: ELM-2052 AESA radar, AASM integration, EW suite.
- Cost: ~USD 45 million/unit.
- Tejas Mk2:
- Status: Prototype 60% complete, rollout by October 2025.
- Features: GE F414 engine, canards, 6.5-ton payload.
- Timeline: First flight 2026, production by 2029.
The Mk1A is combat-ready, while the Mk2 aims to rival advanced fighters like the Gripen E.
Recent Developments in 2025
The Tejas is hitting new heights in 2025:
- Mk1A Deliveries: HAL targets 30 jets/year, supported by 99 GE F404 engines.
- Mk2 Progress: Prototype assembly at 60%, set for October 2025 rollout.
- Weapon Integration: AASM Hammer certified, BrahMos-NG tests planned.
- Naval Tejas: Successful INS Vikrant trials boost Navy confidence.
- Export Potential: Interest from Argentina, Egypt, and the Philippines.
Faster integration of stand-off weapons and software-defined radios (SDRs) enhances operational readiness.
Controversies and Challenges
The Tejas program has faced hurdles:
- Delays: Over 30 years of setbacks, with only 50 airframes by 2024.
- IAF/Navy Criticism: Early concerns about power (IAF) and weight (Navy).
- Cost Overruns: Development cost ~USD 2 billion, Mk1A pricier than expected.
- Limitations: 850 km combat radius, 5.3-ton payload, and reliance on GE engines.
- Production Rate: HAL’s 16–20 jets/year falls short of IAF’s needs.
Despite these, the Tejas’s combat performance and upgrades are winning over critics.
Tejas vs. Global Competitors
How does the Tejas Mk1A compare to rivals?
| Feature | Tejas Mk1A | JF-17 Thunder | Gripen E | F-16 Block 70 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generation | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Top Speed | Mach 1.6 | Mach 1.6 | Mach 2.0 | Mach 2.0 |
| Payload | 5.3 tons | 4.6 tons | 6.0 tons | 7.7 tons |
| Range | 1,850 km | 2,000 km | 4,000 km | 4,220 km |
| Radar | ELM-2052 AESA | KLJ-7A AESA | Raven ES-05 | APG-83 AESA |
| Cost | USD 45M | USD 30M | USD 85M | USD 60M |
The Tejas matches the JF-17 in agility and avionics but lags in range. Its affordability and indigenous weapons like Astra give it an edge in India’s context, though it trails the Gripen E and F-16 in payload and range.
Future of the Tejas and India’s Aerospace Ambitions
The Tejas is a stepping stone to India’s aerospace dominance:
- Mk2 Deployment: Production by 2029, replacing Mirage 2000s.
- AMCA Program: Tejas tech fuels India’s 5th-gen stealth jet, with a prototype by 2028.
- Indigenization: Uttam radar and Kaveri engine aim for full self-reliance.
- Exports: Targeting Global South markets to compete with JF-17.
The Tejas lays the foundation for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and positions the country as a defense superpower.
Conclusion: A Symbol of Grit and Glory
The HAL Tejas is more than a fighter jet—it’s India’s ticket to aerospace independence. Its delta wings, Astra missiles, and 2025 milestones—Mk1A deliveries, Mk2 prototypes, and naval trials—showcase India’s progress. Despite challenges, the Tejas embodies the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Whether you’re a defense enthusiast or proud Indian, the Tejas’s story is one of resilience and ambition.
For a visual deep dive, check out our YouTube video on the Tejas’s tech and triumphs. Share your thoughts: Which Tejas feature excites you most? Dogfights, carrier ops, or its role in India’s future? Join the conversation below!
Stay updated with the latest in military tech by subscribing to our YouTube channel and following our blog for more insights into India’s defense revolution!
Hindi Version of Article – Here you can Read
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is primarily sourced from publicly available open-source content on the internet. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and detailed insights, the content is intended mainly as a script for YouTube videos and may contain unintentional errors or omissions. Readers are encouraged to verify facts independently and use this content for general informational purposes only.