HAL to produce a weaponised version of LCA Tejas for the Indian Air Force


The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been awarded the manufacturing of a weaponised version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas for the Indian Air Force and is expected to complete it by the end of 2019.


HAL to produce a weaponised version of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas for the Indian Air Force 925 001 HAL Tejas at Defexpo 2018 in India (Picture source : Air Recognition)


The LCA Tejas is an Indian single-seat, single-jet engine, multirole light fighter created by HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. The Indian Air Force has already ordered 40 new LCA Tejas, including 20 FOC-configured aircraft and 20 IOC-configured aircraft.

The Tejas are initially equipped with a NVG-compatible glass-cockpit, an infra-red search and track (IRST) sensor, some air-to-air, air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles and also different bombs.

This variant of the Tejas, called Tejas Mk1, will also be capable of mid-air refuelling and will be equipped with EL/M-2052 AESA radar, electronic warfare suites and different unspecified bombs and weapons.