India's domestically developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the Tejas Mk-1A, is scheduled to undergo a crucial phase of full weapons integration trials this month.
Following the positive results from earlier limited tests, this next stage will involve firing a range of advanced missiles, including the indigenous Astra and the British ASRAAM, which are critical for validating the aircraft's combat systems.
The Tejas Mk-1A is a significantly upgraded version of the original Tejas fighter, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
This advanced variant features over 40 major improvements, including enhanced avionics, a more capable electronic warfare system for self-protection, and superior targeting abilities.
A key upgrade is the integration of the Israeli ELM-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which dramatically improves the pilot's situational awareness and the aircraft's effectiveness in modern aerial combat.
The upcoming trials will test the aircraft's ability to fire the Astra, an Indian-made Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile developed by the DRDO, which allows pilots to engage enemy aircraft from a safe distance.
Also part of the tests is the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM), a highly agile weapon designed for close-quarters dogfights.
Furthermore, the trials are expected to include the French-origin Hammer precision-guided munition, a weapon that will provide the Tejas with a formidable air-to-ground strike capability.
Central to the Tejas Mk-1A's enhanced performance is the ELM-2052 AESA radar. Unlike older, mechanically-scanned radars, an AESA system can track multiple targets simultaneously with greater accuracy and is more resistant to electronic jamming by an adversary.
The successful firing of the missiles will confirm that the advanced radar is perfectly synchronized with the aircraft's fire control computer and its diverse weapon packages, a critical step for operational deployment.
These weapons trials represent a major milestone in making the Tejas Mk-1A fully operational for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF currently operates with a fighter squadron strength below its sanctioned requirement, and the induction of the Tejas Mk-1A is vital to bridging this gap.
Once equipped with its full suite of advanced radar and missile systems, the aircraft will serve as a potent multi-role fighter, capable of performing air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions, thereby significantly boosting India's air defence capabilities.
