India’s Indigenous Tejas Mk1A Nears IAF Induction After Milestone Weapon Tests
An in-depth look at readiness, delays, and the path ahead for India’s Light Combat Aircraft programme
New Delhi, India — Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced that five Tejas Mk1A indigenous fighter jets are now considered operationally ready after successfully completing critical weapons integration and firing trials — a major milestone in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, clearing a significant hurdle before formal handover to the ﹒Indian Air Force (IAF).
However, delays in final certification and delivery timelines continue to shape the narrative of the long-running effort to equip India’s air arm with a modern domestic fighter, with implications for defence preparedness, industrial capability, and geopolitical signalling.
What Has Been Achieved
According to HAL leadership, the five Tejas Mk1A jets have completed firing and missile trials, including the launch of air-to-air missiles such as the indigenous Astra and the ASRAAM missile — validating the aircraft’s integrated weapons systems under operational conditions.
These weapon trials are among the last major performance checks before the aircraft can be formally accepted by the IAF. The aircraft’s avionics, launch control systems, sensor suite and airframe performance must meet strict criteria laid down by the IAF’s Staff Qualitative Requirements (SQRs).
In HAL’s words, the programme has “entered the next phase” as the jets have moved from static testing to being positioned for delivery within the current financial year.
What Is the Tejas Mk1A?
The Tejas Mk1A is the upgraded variant of the Light Combat Aircraft originally designed in the 1980s and developed through decades by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL. It is a single-engine, multirole, 4.5 generation fighter developed as part of India’s long-term strategy to reduce reliance on foreign platforms.
Key improvements in the Mk1A over the earlier Mk1 include:
| Feature | Mk1 | Mk1A (Upgraded) |
|---|---|---|
| Radar | Conventional | AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) |
| Weapons | Limited envelope | Full integration (Astra BVR, ASRAAM) |
| Avionics | Basic | Advanced avionics & EW suite |
| Maintenance | Standard | Built-in test & improved maintainability |
| Cockpit | Older instruments | Modernised digital displays |
| Roles | Air superiority | Multirole capability |
Source: HAL, industry reporting
Historical Background
India’s domestic fighter aircraft journey began in earnest in the late 1980s with the LCA project — a visionary attempt to move away from dependence on imported combat jets. Initial prototypes flew in the early 2000s, and the first operational deliveries of the earlier Mk1 variant to the IAF began only in the mid-2010s.
In 2021, the Government of India cleared the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk1A fighters (73 single-seat and 10 twin-seat trainers) under a ₹48,000 crore contract. This was later expanded in 2025 with a follow-on order of 97 more Mk1A jets, bringing the total planned fleet to around 180 aircraft.
Originally, deliveries were expected to start around 2023-24, but a series of setbacks — from delayed engine deliveries to prolonged testing cycles — pushed the induction timeline repeatedly.
Causes of Delays: Behind the Scenes
The Tejas Mk1A programme has faced multiple challenges over the years, most notably:
1. Engine Supply Issues
Unlike the airframe and avionics, the aircraft’s engine — a General Electric F404-IN20 unit — is supplied by a US company. Persistent supply chain disruptions and production bottlenecks delayed deliveries of engines, which stalled flight testing and production ramp-up.
2. Complex Weapons Integration
Integrating advanced missiles and ensuring seamless interaction between radar, avionics, and weapons systems proved more time-consuming than anticipated. Rigorous verification is required before live firing and safety testing can be authorised.
3. Certification Requirements
The IAF’s Staff Qualitative Requirements (SQRs) require exhaustive checks across flight performance, maintainability, avionics accuracy, mission systems and safety. Completing each SQR phase is a prerequisite for signing off deliveries.
4. Testing Setbacks
Previous test firings — including attempts with the Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile — encountered software and integration glitches, necessitating rectifications and repeat trials before acceptance.
Impact: What It Means for India
IAF Squadron Strength
The Indian Air Force has been managing a fighter squadron shortfall for years, with current strength well below sanctioned levels. Delays in Tejas deliveries have contributed to sustained pressure on operational readiness.
Strategic Autonomy
The progress of Tejas Mk1A — especially first weapon trial successes — represents a significant step toward indigenous defence capability. It signals a reduced dependence on foreign fighters for at least a segment of India’s air power.
Defence Industrial Base
Successfully completing sophisticated weapon integration consolidates India’s aerospace industry's ability to deliver cutting-edge combat aircraft. It also strengthens future prospects for exports, joint ventures, and enhanced strategic collaborations.
Pilot and Program Confidence
Formal induction of domestically built fighters boosts morale among Indian pilots, engineers, and defence planners, reinforcing confidence in homegrown innovation.
What Happens Next?
According to HAL, the five aircraft will be presented to the IAF for acceptance once final certification and operational demonstrations are complete — likely in early 2026.
This process includes validation of all remaining SQR criteria, logistical readiness, and official handover protocols. Only after IAF acceptance will the jets be declared formally “in service.”
Beyond these five jets, production is expected to scale up gradually. HAL’s current capacity — spread across facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik — is projected to build around 24 jets per year. At that rate, fulfilling the full 180-aircraft order will take several years.
Future Outlook
Acceleration?
If certification proceeds smoothly, the Tejas Mk1A fleet can begin enhancing IAF operations by mid-2026, with increasing numbers deployed at forward air bases.
Tech Upgrades
Future iterations could include integration of fully indigenous radars, expanded weapons suites, and potential twin-engine variants, aligning with broader aerospace modernisation goals.
Export Prospects
With successful weapons integration and operational readiness, Tejas Mk1A may become an attractive option for friendly air forces seeking cost-effective, capable lightweight fighters — bolstering India’s defence export footprint.
Conclusion
The announcement of five Tejas Mk1A jets clearing weapon trials marks a defining moment in India’s long-running indigenous fighter programme. While delays and certification processes remain hurdles, this development brings the aircraft closer than ever to front-line service with the Indian Air Force.
The programme’s evolution reflects not just technical achievement, but strategic ambition — balancing national defence needs with the drive toward self-reliance in advanced aerospace systems.