The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, India's indigenous fighter jet developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), marked the 25th anniversary of its maiden flight on January 4, 2026. Tejas first took to the skies on January 4, 2001, over Yelahanka Air Base in Bengaluru, marking a watershed moment in India's journey towards aerospace self-reliance. Over 25 years, Tejas evolved from a technology demonstrator to an operational combat aircraft currently serving with the Indian Air Force's No. 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers) and No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets) at Sulur Air Force Station, Tamil Nadu. HAL has secured a contract worth ₹62,370 crore for the supply of 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighters to the Indian Air Force. The Mk-1A variant is a significant upgrade over the Mk-1, featuring Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles, and a fly-by-wire flight control system. The contract represents one of the largest indigenous defence procurement orders in Indian history, reflecting the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat push in defence manufacturing. Tejas is designed as a delta-wing, single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft. It is built with over 64% indigenous content under the 97-aircraft Mk1A contract, with ongoing efforts to increase this figure. The aircraft uses a General Electric F-404 engine (Mk-1), but the Mk-2 variant is planned to use the GE F-414 engine with significantly higher thrust. The Tejas programme has faced delays over its 40-year development history — the programme initiated in 1984 and IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) was achieved in 2013, with FOC (Full Operational Clearance) in 2019.
Tejas LCA Completes 25 Years of Maiden Flight: HAL Secures ₹62,370 Crore Order for 97 Mk-1A Jets
Tejas LCA marks 25 years since its maiden flight on January 4, 2001. HAL has a ₹62,370 crore order for 97 Mk-1A jets featuring AESA radar, BVR missiles and EW suite.
Key facts
- Tejas LCA completed 25 years since its maiden flight on January 4, 2001, over Yelahanka Air Base, Bengaluru.
- HAL secured a contract worth ₹62,370 crore for the supply of 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighters to the Indian Air Force.
- Mk-1A features Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, advanced EW suite, BVR missiles, and fly-by-wire flight control.
- Tejas serves with No. 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers) and No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets) at Sulur Air Force Station, Tamil Nadu.
- Programme initiated in 1984; IOC achieved in 2013, FOC in 2019 — a 40-year journey to full operational status.
- Tejas has approximately 60% indigenous content; represents Atmanirbhar Bharat push in defence manufacturing.
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2021 Atmanirbhar Bharat measures for industry and infrastructure — This PYQ asks about Atmanirbhar Bharat industrial measures; Tejas Mk-1A is a flagship indigenous defence manufacturing success under the same policy.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the significance of HAL's ₹62,370 crore contract for 97 Tejas Mk-1A jets in advancing India's defence self-reliance.
Answer (50 words):
The Tejas Mk-1A contract represents India's largest indigenous defence procurement order, boosting HAL's production ecosystem with AESA radar, BVR missiles, and electronic warfare capabilities. With over 64 percent indigenous content and nearly 105 Indian companies supporting production, this programme exemplifies Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing import dependence while strengthening the domestic aerospace manufacturing base significantly.
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Source: Bharat Shakti
Frequently asked questions
When did Tejas LCA make its maiden flight and where?
**Tejas LCA** made its maiden flight on **January 4, 2001**, at **Yelahanka Air Base in Bengaluru**, Karnataka. January 2026 marked the **25th anniversary** of this milestone. The programme was initiated in **1984** by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA); Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) was granted in 2013 and Full Operational Clearance (FOC) in 2019.
What is the value and scope of HAL's Tejas Mk-1A contract?
HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) secured a contract worth **₹62,370 crore** for the supply of **97 Tejas Mk-1A** fighters to the **Indian Air Force**. This is one of the **largest indigenous defence procurement orders** in Indian history. The Mk-1A is an upgraded variant featuring AESA radar, advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles, and fly-by-wire flight control system.
What are the key technological upgrades in Tejas Mk-1A over the Mk-1?
The **Tejas Mk-1A** upgrades over the Mk-1 include: (1) **Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar** — longer range, multi-target tracking; (2) **Advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suite** — jamming and electronic attack capability; (3) **Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles** — enabling long-range air-to-air combat; (4) **Fly-by-wire** digital flight control system for enhanced manoeuvrability. The aircraft also has enhanced indigenous content under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
With which IAF squadrons is Tejas currently operational?
Tejas LCA is currently operational with the Indian Air Force's **No. 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers)** and **No. 18 Squadron (Flying Bullets)**, both based at **Sulur Air Force Station** in Tamil Nadu. These are the front-line squadrons that first inducted Tejas into operational service.
What is the significance of Tejas LCA for India's Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence?
Tejas LCA represents India's most ambitious exercise in **indigenous fighter development**. With **over 64% indigenous content**, HAL's ₹62,370 crore order for 97 Mk-1A jets demonstrates that India can design, develop, and produce a capable combat aircraft domestically. It reduces dependence on foreign fighter imports (India is the world's largest arms importer) and builds an indigenous aerospace industrial ecosystem, generating employment and technology spillovers.
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