Bad news for Pakistan, China as India’s new Tejas Mk-1A gets ready for…; it’s now more dangerous due to…

Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft update: In a significant development for Indian air capabilities, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to launch the first Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft by the end of July 2025. As per media reports, HAL will be launching the MK-1A fighter jet from its new Nashik production facility. The reports also say that the Nashik unit of the HAL manufacturing will initially produce around eight aircraft per year and about three to four jets are expected to be delivered in FY26. As per a report carried by the Times of India, the Bengaluru facility of the HAL is also expected to deliver its first Mk-1A unit to the Indian Air Force (IAF) between July and August 2025.

Here are all the key idetails you need to know about the MK-1A fighter jet.

Tejas Mk-1A vs Tejas Mk-1: What’s different?

The Tejas Mk-1A aircraft is an enhanced version of the Tejas Mk-1. Developed to meet operational requirements of the IAF, the Mk-1A is equipped with Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) capability and Network Warfare Systems using Software Defined Radio (SDR), which supports secure communications and electronic support measures in modern combat scenarios.

How is Tejas Mk-1A better than Tejas Mk-1 fighter jet?

Most importantly, the Tejas Mk-1A has more than 40 enhancements over its predecessor, the Mk-1 jet, including an upgraded Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC Mk1A) to improve flight stability and responsiveness and the integration of the ELM-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar from ELTA Systems.

HAL receives first centre fuselage for LCA Tejas Mk 1A

In a significant development for the LCA Tejas Mk 1A fighter jet, the first centre fuselage assembly for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A was handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by M/s VEM Technologies in May this year. As per a report carried by IANS news agency, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that this is the first time a major sub-assembly for the LCA Tejas has been handed over by a private Indian company.

Notably, the HAL plans to extend this outsourcing model to future projects, reinforcing its in-house capacity with the expertise of Indian industry.

(With inputs from agencies)

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