Philippines Eyes Naval Tejas with Customized Features

India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Philippine Aerospace Development Corp (PADC) are engaged in a groundbreaking initiative to customize India's LCA-Tejas Mk1A multi-role fighter aircraft for naval strike missions.

This development marks a strategic shift in the Philippines' approach to maritime defence, signaling a focus on versatile and technologically advanced assets to counter growing regional challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

The Customized Tejas: A Naval Powerhouse​

The Tejas Mk1A, already a potent force in the Indian Air Force (IAF), is poised for a maritime transformation. Key to this adaptation is the integration of India's indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range (NASM-MR).

This precision weapon system will provide exceptional maritime strike capabilities and enhance situational awareness in contested waters.

Furthermore, plans to arm the naval Tejas variant with the BrahMos-NG Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) would make the aircraft a formidable dual-role asset.

The BrahMos-NG ALCM's ability to strike both land and sea-based targets offers the Philippines a powerful deterrent against a range of maritime threats – particularly with China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

HAL's customization goes beyond weapons. The inclusion of an optimized radar designed specifically to enhance the detection and tracking of sea-based targets underscores the commitment to ensuring the Tejas Mk1A thrives within the unique demands of a maritime environment.

Why the Philippines Needs a Naval Tejas​

The Philippines' decision to adopt a naval Tejas aligns with the urgent need to upgrade its maritime defence capabilities. The limitations of its existing platforms, such as the FA-50PH light attack aircraft, highlight a need for adaptable assets.

The Tejas Mk1A's versatility and potential armament provide the Philippines with a tool to assert its territorial rights and defend its maritime interests with greater potency.

Strengthening Ties, Bolstering Regional Security​

This collaboration with India not only bolsters the Philippine Air Force but also represents a broader strategic partnership with a rising player in the Indo-Pacific.

India and the Philippines share a common desire for regional stability and the rule of law in the face of growing maritime challenges. The naval Tejas program acts as a symbol of this cooperation, aiming to strengthen security networks across the region.

Conclusion​

The development of a naval-optimized Tejas Mk1A marks a turning point in the Philippines' maritime strategy.

By leveraging Indian technology, the Philippines gains a capable, customizable weapons platform that can meet the specific operational needs within the complex theater of the South China Sea.

This collaboration also highlights the growing strategic importance of India as a defence partner and the evolving nature of regional power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Is the Tejas Mk 1 A capable of using anti-ship missiles?

 

[Guru]

Finally some sensible ideas than purchasing an aircraft carrier with rafales. Like Philippines we have so many unsinkable aircraft carriers also called island s

 

[amerjit johal]

This development might be a good experience for us to use them from all four new bases two each in Andaman and Nicobar alongwith Lakshadweep and Minicoy we need them too.
But most importantly how can we speed up the GE engine production rate alongwith our own production capacity this should be our focus.

These bases will require twin engine/ heavy load carrying/ long range aircraft. Tejas does not fit the bill.

 

[Ashutosh]

dude, if the deal is signed today, deliveries wont start for 3 years at least. that is enough time to develop NASM, and few years after that brahmos NG. Gripen is too expensive for philipines and the ordnance for gripen is also much more expensive than Indian missiles.

Most important factor is that India and philipines have common problem with china. So, both countries want strong defence ties. What if in a future conflict with china, sweden gets cold feet and refuses to supply parts and weapons to philipines. European countries are notorious for pulling these stunts. India, will donate stuff to philipines in conflict with china if philipines cant afford it, because it is in India's interest to destroy china's ships.

Bro what's the credibility of your statement that NAShM - MR or Brahmos NG would be operational in 3 years!?
Brahmos NG was supposed to start testing by now, but it's already running late. We have been fantasying about the so called Brahmos NG from almost a decade.

Do u want this much time to develop a nerfed version of an already operational missile!?

Not just that, every else platform offered are operational from quite the time and are proven too, but both ur platform and missile are totally immature, especially the missile of which all u can show is '1:1 MODELS ', nothing more.

 

[Akshat]

This development might be a good experience for us to use them from all four new bases two each in Andaman and Nicobar alongwith Lakshadweep and Minicoy we need them too.
But most importantly how can we speed up the GE engine production rate alongwith our own production capacity this should be our focus.

GE has already supplied 75 engines while we have made only 33/34 planes so far (depending on the source). And they can supply 16 engines annually, while we made only 1/2 planes in the last 19 months. So engines ain’t gonna be an issue buddy. The question is, how can we speed up the process of selling HAL to some private entity so that we can actually get some jets?

 

[Pad UwU]

Is HAL still in delululandia????🧐🤔
HAL can't even fulfill it's deliveries and always lying and making excuses plus overhype propaganda
Philippines doesn't even have aircraft carrier LMAO 😹,.. wadafaq on earth the need a Tejas mk1a navalize version of it🙃.....
I believe Saab might win this stuff until the g2g agreement is sign the Philippines would get a Gripen c/d or e/f in the future

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Bro what's the credibility of your statement that NAShM - MR or Brahmos NG would be operational in 3 years!?
Brahmos NG was supposed to start testing by now, but it's already running late. We have been fantasying about the so called Brahmos NG from almost a decade.

Do u want this much time to develop a nerfed version of an already operational missile!?

Not just that, every else platform offered are operational from quite the time and are proven too, but both ur platform and missile are totally immature, especially the missile of which all u can show is '1:1 MODELS ', nothing more.

I will tell you my credibility. It takes about 5 years to complete development of a missile after its first trials start. Missile is already in development for 5-7 years before first trial. Eg. first trial of Astra Mk-1 was held in 2012, and it was inducted in 2017.

Similarly first trial for NASM was held in 2022, so it should be ready by 2027, which is 3 years for now.

As for brahmos NG. It is not a nerfed version of brahmos. It is a brand new system which is designed for air launch. Brahmos was designed for ground launch. it was modified for use by aircraft and ships, that is why it has inefficient design.
Brahmos NG will be a state of the art system. There is no other system like that in the world.

 

[Ashutosh]

I will tell you my credibility. It takes about 5 years to complete development of a missile after its first trials start. Missile is already in development for 5-7 years before first trial. Eg. first trial of Astra Mk-1 was held in 2012, and it was inducted in 2017.

Similarly first trial for NASM was held in 2022, so it should be ready by 2027, which is 3 years for now.

As for brahmos NG. It is not a nerfed version of brahmos. It is a brand new system which is designed for air launch. Brahmos was designed for ground launch. it was modified for use by aircraft and ships, that is why it has inefficient design.
Brahmos NG will be a state of the art system. There is no other system like that in the world.

What if it's not!? Tell me what if ur so called futuristic system is not even in near future!? One more thing, trials happened for NAShM- SR - a helo launched missile, not for NAShM- MR( a fighter launched missile). U equalising these is similar of Astra mk1 equalising A Astra mk2, Rudram 1 equalising Rudram 2. Astra is available from more than a decade, still we haven't seen Astra mk2, so what makes u think that NAShM-MR will available by 2027!? On what basis!?

Secondly, when Phillipines Nav AF and AF would be evaluating Tejas - what would you show them!?
" Hello sir, we offer u Tejas mk1a which currently is incapable of antiship roles but we are developing a futuristic missile which will come in future, and then we will integrate it."

Brahmos NG is being showcased for almost a decade - what more is the news on it!? Nothing but 1:1 models.

 

[Sunnyj]

Where is mk2 ?? Keep sleeping till coranastan slices more territory..