Light Combat Aircraft
Science & Technology › Defence Technology and Missile Systems · Topic 16.13
The Light Combat Aircraft, LCA Tejas, is India's indigenous single engine, delta wing, multirole supersonic fighter, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The programme was approved in 1983 to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet, the first technology demonstrator flew on 4 January 2001, and the name Tejas, meaning radiance, was given by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003. The Air Force received Initial Operational Clearance in December 2013 and Final Operational Clearance in February 2019. The first squadron, No. 45 Flying Daggers, was formed in July 2016. The upgraded Tejas Mk-1A, with AESA radar and better electronic warfare, was ordered in 83 aircraft in February 2021, and a Mk-2 is planned.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Science & Technology · Defence Technology and Missile Systems
At a Glance
- Designer ADA
- Builder HAL
- First flight 4 January 2001
- Clearance IOC 2013, FOC 2019
- Engine GE F404 (Kaveri failed)
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Science & Technology: Defence Technology and Missile Systems
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows the account of AWACS. It describes India’s main indigenous fighter programme, which shows both the progress and the delays in defence indigenisation. Previous topic: Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). Next topic: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Defence Sector Restructuring.
What Are the Features and History of the Tejas?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Single seat, single engine, delta wing, tailless, fourth plus generation multirole fighter, with composite materials for about 45 percent of its structure |
| Developers | Aeronautical Development Agency, Bengaluru, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as the main production agency and many labs of DRDO |
| Flight control | Quadruplex digital fly by wire system, relaxed static stability |
| Approval and first flight | Programme sanctioned in 1983, formally launched in 1984. The first technology demonstrator flew on 4 January 2001 |
| Name | Tejas was announced by Prime Minister Vajpayee on 4 May 2003 |
| Induction | Initial Operational Clearance in December 2013, Final Operational Clearance in February 2019 |
| Roles | Air defence, ground attack, maritime strike and reconnaissance, with weapons such as Astra missiles, Derby, laser guided bombs |
What Are the Variants, Engine Issues and Orders?
- Tejas Mk-1: earlier version with the American GE F404-IN20 engine
- Tejas Mk-1A: improved version with an AESA radar, electronic warfare suite, in-flight refuelling and better maintenance. The Air Force ordered 83 in February 2021 for about Rs 48,000 crore, followed by 97 more cleared in 2025
- Tejas trainer: two seat version for pilot training
- Naval Tejas: carrier based version, which made its first arrested landing on INS Vikrant in 2022
- Tejas Mk-2: Medium Weight Fighter, with a more powerful GE F414 engine, to fly after 2025 with induction later in the decade
- Engine issue: the Kaveri engine of GTRE, begun in 1989, could not meet thrust needs, so GE engines are used; the delays in engine deliveries have slowed production
- Production line: HAL aims to raise production to 16 aircraft a year, and a third line was set up at Nashik
- MiG-21 retirement: the last MiG-21 squadrons were planned to be retired by 2025, and fighter squadron strength has fallen below the sanctioned 42
What Else Should You Remember?
- Indigenous content: about 60 percent or more in Mk-1A, which the Government plans to raise
- Fly by wire: computers move control surfaces, since the aircraft is designed to be unstable for agility
- Carbon composites: light and strong
- Squadrons: No. 45 and No. 18 Flying Bullets squadrons fly the Tejas
- Export interest: some countries have shown interest in the Tejas, but no export contract had been confirmed; check the latest position
- Crash at Dubai: a Tejas crashed during an air show at Dubai in November 2025, and its impact on exports is still to be seen
- Weapons: Astra beyond visual range missile, Python, ASRAAM, Derby, BrahMos-NG planned
- Software: uses an indigenous mission computer and software
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: a public sector firm founded in 1940 in Bengaluru
- ADA: an autonomous body under DRDO, established in 1984
- Defence Acquisition Council: clears major purchases
- Fifth generation: Tejas leads to AMCA and the experience gained helps, as in Stealth Technology
- Safety: the Tejas has an excellent record with few accidents until recently
- Fighter squadrons: the Air Force has about 30 fighter squadrons against an authorised 42
- Sukhoi-30MKI: Russian-origin fighter assembled by HAL under licence
- Rafale: French fighters bought in 2016 and more for the Navy in 2025
- Link: the engine for the fifth generation jet is in Stealth Technology
- Cost and price: the Mk-1A is priced lower than imported fighters but more than earlier estimates
- Private industry role: firms such as Larsen and Toubro, Tata and Alpha Design make parts, and a Tata line makes the fuselage
- Training role: a Tejas trainer and the Hawk help to train pilots
- Naval variant: the Navy has moved to buy foreign carrier fighters, and the naval Tejas has been a technology demonstrator
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Developers: ADA, HAL
- Dates: 2001 first flight, 2013 IOC, 2019 FOC
- Variants: Mk-1A, naval, Mk-2
- Current affairs link: engine deliveries and orders
- Common errors: saying the Tejas has the indigenous Kaveri engine
As an analytical point, the Tejas shows India can design and build a modern fighter, but delays in engines and production show the gaps in the supply chain. Reliable engines and larger industry capacity are needed for self-reliance.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Dev ADA, HAL
- Variants Mk-1A to Mk-2
- Issues Engine
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Chief of Defence Staff and defence sector restructuring. Next topic: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Defence Sector Restructuring.
Key People and Terms
- LCA Light Combat Aircraft
- ADA Aeronautical Development Agency
- HAL Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
- IOC Initial Operational Clearance
- FOC Final Operational Clearance
- GTRE Gas Turbine Research Establishment
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- First flight: 4 January 2001.
- IOC 2013, FOC 2019.
- Mk-1A order: 83 aircraft, February 2021.
- Name Tejas given in 2003.
- Engine: GE F404.
Do Not Confuse With
- ADA and HAL Designer versus manufacturer
- Mk-1A and Mk-2 Upgrade versus new larger aircraft
- Kaveri and F404 Indigenous engine that failed for fighter versus imported engine in use
Memory Hook
ADA designs, HAL builds; 2001 flies, 2013 clears, 2019 final; engine is American.
Mains Angle
Questions ask for developers, dates and variants. These points help.
- Progress Variants
- Delays Engine
- Way forward Capacity
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Evaluate the progress and challenges in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft programme.”
How to Answer
- History 1983 to 2019.
- Variants Mk-1A.
- Issues Engine, delay.
- Way forward Industry.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the Tejas?
The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, Bengaluru, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Defence, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as the main production agency. Many DRDO laboratories and private firms contributed to its systems and parts.
When did the Tejas first fly and enter service?
The first technology demonstrator of the Tejas flew on 4 January 2001. The Air Force received Initial Operational Clearance in December 2013 and Final Operational Clearance in February 2019, and the first squadron, No. 45 Flying Daggers, was formed in July 2016.
What is the Tejas Mk-1A?
The Tejas Mk-1A is an upgraded version of the Tejas with an active electronically scanned array radar, an improved electronic warfare suite, in-flight refuelling and easier maintenance. The Air Force ordered 83 in February 2021, and more were cleared later, but deliveries have been delayed by engine supplies.
Why does the Tejas use an American engine?
The indigenous Kaveri engine of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment did not reach the thrust and reliability needed for the fighter, so the Tejas uses the GE F404 engine from the United States. The Mk-2 will use the more powerful GE F414, and HAL is to make it in India under a technology partnership.
Which aircraft is the Tejas meant to replace?
The Tejas was designed to replace the Soviet-era MiG-21 fighters, which the Air Force flew for six decades and which had a poor safety record. The retirement of the last MiG-21 squadrons has reduced the number of fighter squadrons, which makes faster delivery of Tejas aircraft important.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Tejas was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency.
Built by HAL.
2 The Tejas is powered by the indigenous Kaveri engine.
It uses the GE F404.
3 The first Tejas prototype flew in 2001.
On 4 January.
4 The Tejas was meant to replace the MiG-21.
The ageing fleet.
Past Mains Questions on This Topic
This topic comes under Defence Technology and Missile Systems. UPSC Mains questions asked on the matching syllabus topic, year-wise with marks:
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