IAF to Equip Upcoming Tejas Mk1A Squadrons Along Pakistan Border with Astra Mk1 Air-to-Air Missiles

In a move aimed at bolstering its air defence capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to equip its upcoming Tejas Mk1A fighter jet squadrons with indigenously developed Astra Mk1 air-to-air missiles.

These squadrons, expected to be operational later this year, will be strategically stationed at Nal Air Base in Bikaner, Rajasthan, a mere 200 kilometers from the India-Pakistan border.

This development underscores the IAF's commitment to modernizing its fleet and enhancing operational readiness in strategically sensitive areas.

The Astra Mk1 is a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) with a range exceeding 110 kilometers. Equipped with advanced guidance systems, the missile allows the Tejas Mk1A to engage aerial targets with high precision, even in complex operational environments. This capability is crucial for the IAF, particularly in the context of Combat Air Patrols (CAPs) and interception operations.

The deployment of Tejas Mk1A squadrons armed with Astra Mk1 missiles at Nal Air Base is a strategic move that strengthens India's air defence posture along its western border. The base's proximity to the border allows for swift response times and enhanced surveillance capabilities in the region.

This initiative aligns with the IAF's broader modernization efforts, which include phasing out older aircraft and inducting advanced fighter jets like the Rafale and the Tejas Mk1A. By integrating domestically produced weapons systems like the Astra Mk1, the IAF is also reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers and promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.

 

[sanket]

yeah but after couple of years Astra MK2 will become mainstay, After some batches Indigenous Uttam AESA Radar is going to Integrated of Later Batches of Tejas MK1A need to b seem whether IAF pitches for Meteor Missile on it being Indigenous Radar French MBDA may not opposed for Integration Earlier it was Israel AESA Radar thats why French MBDA denied Integration of Meteor on Tejas MK1A

 

[Ajath Shri]

This should add more firepower for TEJAS.

 

[Invi Pass]

Unless we integrate longer range AAMs on Tejas, they will be sitting ducks for American and Chinese AAMs be it from Pakistan or China. 110 km does not inspire confidence. We need atleast two meteor class missiles arming Tejas making it a potent fighter interceptor.

I think IAF still not sure how to use Tejas. They are trying to treat it like a Rafale, when the capability and capacity in terms of range and armament is a fraction.

Honestly, Tejas is good only for a support role. I have not seen any real action by Tejas be it war game except strike some dummy targets. Last I heard was intercepting advanced German fighters but that's so far fetched.

Just be logical. If Tejas was that good, everyone in the world would be lining up to buy it. So far no one has except IAF.

Tejas is certainly a good step for Indian aeronautical manufacturing to gain experience building fighter jets.

However, the real deal I feel is the AMCA. India and HAL should focus all it's energy on developing this fighter jet than spending time and money on another batch of Tejas MK1A and Tejas Mk2.

Meanwhile to replenish IAF squadrons, India should go ahead and get the MRCA tender cleared ASAP and get a private consortium to build 200 odd fighter jets armed with more missiles and armour than that on the Tejas.

Meanwhile we can evolve the Astra and Uttam AESA radars on the Su 30 MKI platform and sell them. Get them to Meteor level when the AMCA flies.

 

[Yikes]

Just be logical. If Tejas was that good, everyone in the world would be lining up to buy it. So far no one has except IAF.

so Gripen must be bad too by that logic?

 

[Praveen]

Unless we integrate longer range AAMs on Tejas, they will be sitting ducks for American and Chinese AAMs be it from Pakistan or China. 110 km does not inspire confidence. We need atleast two meteor class missiles arming Tejas making it a potent fighter interceptor.

Actually it has its own advantages. First it's very small, so low RCS value, second it's 40 percent carbon composite so it's RCS value will be even smaller. For big aircrafts like Su-30mki , F-15E, it's RCS value is whooping 15m² which is very huge when in today's radar For example F/A-18 Super hornet has detection range of 150 km against 1m² and our own Su-30mki without any upgrade with just bars radar can detect 2m² RCS value targets at more than 200km range. Su-30mki is good for striking targets using cruise missiles from far away as 400km and going against aew&cs from 300km.

 

[Praveen]

so Gripen must be bad too by that logic?

Many don't buy our aircraft because of these reasons

1. Argentina - because Tejas is using ejection seat, Radome, Refueling pod from UK.
2. Malaysia - Because Tejas uses Israeli radar.
3. Many countries - because of nasty GE F-404 engines and it's very slow delivery to us.

 

[Sandeep]

This is very good news and we should also look to expand it across the entire fleet of jets. We should also increase the number of missiles it can carry by using double or triple pylons on each hard point. We should also quickly develop the Astra IR, MK2 and MK3 which is essential for BVRAAM. Another crucial requirement that we need is to quickly finish developing and converting our anti radiation missiles Rudram MK1, MK2 and MK3 into a standard air to surface missile which can cover our range of missiles that our air force need.

Also we need to redesign the wing tips on Tejas MK1A a little bit and install our self protection pod there permanently rather than use a hard point on each side or install another hard point there as well to carry the pod. I hope they manage to do this with Tejas MK2 and avoid the same problem and issue.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

Need longer ranged rounds so we can take out the PAF threat at the border itself without our birds having to meet them in the middle.