Tejas Light Combat Aircraft: Engine, Design, and Performance Overview

The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is India’s indigenously developed multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). As a cornerstone of India’s defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Tejas represents the country’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in aerospace technology and defence capabilities.

The Tejas LCA is primarily designed to perform air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions. It is a lightweight, highly agile, single-engine aircraft capable of operating from short runways and equipped with advanced avionics and weapons systems.

Tejas LCA Mk1A: Next Generation Indigenous Fighter Jet

What is Tejas Mk1A?

The Tejas Mk1A is an advanced variant of the original Tejas Mk1 aircraft. It includes several upgrades to avionics, weapon systems, radar, electronic warfare, and maintainability, aimed at enhancing combat capabilities and operational reliability.

Key Features of Tejas Mk1A:

• Advanced AESA Radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array) for superior target tracking.

• Enhanced electronic warfare systems.

• Improved weapons compatibility including beyond-visual-range missiles.

• Mid-air refueling capability for extended missions.

• Enhanced maintainability and reduced turnaround time.

• Indigenous systems integration with increased Indian content.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to induct a significant number of Tejas Mk1A jets, aiming to replace older fighter aircraft and strengthen its fleet with a modern, agile, and cost-effective platform.

First Centre Fuselage for LCA Tejas Mk1A Handed Over to HAL

Historic Milestone in Indigenous Defence Manufacturing

On May 30, 2025, VEM Technologies, a private Indian aerospace manufacturer, handed over the first centre fuselage assembly for the Tejas Mk1A to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at Hyderabad. This marks the first time a major sub-assembly for the Tejas has been manufactured by a private Indian company, highlighting the growing role of private industry in India’s defence production ecosystem.

Significance of the Centre Fuselage Assembly:

• The centre fuselage is a critical structural component that integrates the cockpit, avionics bay, fuel systems, and supports the wings and landing gear.

• This handover marks the establishment of a fourth production line for the Tejas Mk1A, in addition to the two existing lines at HAL Bengaluru and one at HAL Nashik.

• The milestone demonstrates the success of the public-private partnership model, which is key to accelerating production and meeting the Indian Air Force’s delivery timelines.

Boost to ‘Make in India’ and Aatmanirbhar Bharat

This achievement aligns perfectly with the Indian government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, emphasizing self-reliance and indigenous manufacturing in the aerospace and defence sectors. HAL has been actively nurturing an ecosystem involving over 6,300 Indian vendors, including 2,448 MSMEs, to produce complex aerospace components such as fuselages, fuel tanks, pylons, wings, and rudders.

Tejas Fighter Jet Engine: Powering India’s Indigenous Fighter

Engine Overview

The General Electric F404-GE-IN20 afterburning turbofan engine powers the Tejas LCA. This engine has been selected for its reliability, performance, and maintainability. It gives the aircraft a maximum thrust of around 84 kN (18,000 lbf), enabling speeds up to Mach 1.8 and excellent agility.

Future Developments: Indigenous Kaveri Engine

India has also been working on an indigenous fighter engine program, the Kaveri engine, developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under DRDO. Though the Kaveri engine has faced technical challenges, its development continues to reduce dependence on foreign engines and enhance India’s long-term self-reliance in fighter aircraft propulsion.

Importance of Tejas LCA Mk1A in India’s Defence Landscape

• Modernisation of Indian Air Force: Tejas Mk1A will replace aging fleets like MiG-21 and MiG-27.

• Cost-effective and Maintainable: Lower life cycle costs compared to imported fighter jets.

• Export Potential: Growing interest from friendly nations aiming to procure a modern, affordable fighter jet.

• Technology Showcase: Integration of advanced avionics, radar, and weapons systems built in India.

Conclusion

The handover of the first centre fuselage for Tejas Mk1A to HAL by VEM Technologies marks a new chapter in India’s journey toward self-reliant defence manufacturing. The Tejas Mk1A, powered by the reliable F404 engine and backed by an evolving indigenous aerospace ecosystem, stands as a symbol of India’s technological and industrial progress in the aerospace sector.

With increased production lines, robust private sector participation, and continued indigenisation, the Tejas LCA program is set to strengthen India’s air defence capabilities for decades to come.

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