A newly revealed production timeline confirms that Mistral Solutions will begin supplying Exciter Receiver Processor (ERP) Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) for the LCA Tejas Mk1A starting in November 2026.
These components form a crucial segment of the "Swayam Raksha Kavach" (Self-Defence Shield) electronic warfare suite.
Over a period stretching to March 2032, the private-sector firm is contracted to deliver a total of 122 ERP units, which will play a major role in equipping the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) expanding fleet of indigenous fighters.
The ERP acts as the digital brain of the Swayam Raksha Kavach, an advanced defence system designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
This system provides the Tejas Mk1A with a form of "electronic stealth," making it exceptionally difficult for enemy radars and missiles to track the aircraft in contested skies.
By rapidly analysing incoming electromagnetic threats, the ERP coordinates with the aircraft's Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) and Advanced Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ) pods—which heavily utilize Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology—to instantly deploy countermeasures and electronic decoys.
According to the supply plan, the initial handover of four ERP sets will take place in late 2026. These early batches will also support ongoing flight trials and the operational evaluation of the fighter.
Production will then speed up, with 12 units slated for the 2026-27 timeframe. The delivery pace will continue to grow, reaching 19 units in 2027-28 and eventually hitting a peak rate of 26 units per year during the 2028-29 and 2029-30 financial cycles.
This steady ramp-up aligns directly with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) accelerated manufacturing schedule for the aircraft.
As the Tejas Mk1A production run nears completion, the supply of ERPs will gradually scale down to 20 units in 2030-31 and 19 units in 2031-32.
Out of the 122 total systems ordered, 84 will be installed on single-seat combat variants, while the remaining 38 are reserved for twin-seat training aircraft.
This distribution ensures that IAF pilots will have access to the exact same electronic warfare architecture during both training exercises and active combat missions.
To ensure the hardware perfectly matches the final design of the aircraft, the contract states that serial production deliveries will only be accepted after the Tejas Mk1A secures its final production clearance.
This careful approach prevents the manufacturing of components before the aircraft's standard configuration is permanently frozen.
Entrusting such a highly sophisticated aerospace electronics project to Mistral Solutions highlights India's growing success in developing a self-reliant defence ecosystem.
By producing these critical systems domestically, India is significantly reducing its reliance on imported military hardware while ensuring the IAF is combat-ready for the modern electronic battlefield.
