Tejas Mk-1: A Milestone Achieved, Potential Mk-1B Upgrades on the Horizon

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) marked a significant achievement with the successful test flight of the first production series Tejas Mk-1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

This milestone underscores the progress of India's ambitious program to develop and manufacture indigenous fighter jets. However, the Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to desire more advanced capabilities, fueling a potential evolution of the Tejas platform.

The Tejas Mk-1A and Beyond​

The IAF plans to formally order 97 additional Tejas Mk-1A jets later this year. This variant offers improvements over the initial Tejas Mk-1, including an upgraded sensor suite and avionics.

These 97 jets are expected to be inducted into active service within the next 3-4 years, a timeframe that strategically aligns with the beginning of trials for the even more capable Tejas Mk-II.

The Mk-II design boasts a more powerful engine, increased internal fuel capacity, an AESA radar, and other enhancements.

Potential Emergence of the Tejas Mk-1B​

Ongoing discussions between HAL and the IAF are focused on the final specifications for the second batch of Tejas jets.

The IAF's drive for cutting-edge capabilities is motivating potential changes and upgrades, laying the groundwork for a possible new variant designated as the Tejas Mk-1B.

Specific areas of consideration include enhanced avionics and other modifications to ensure the fighter remains relevant to the IAF's long-term strategic needs.

Tejas: A Symbol of India's Defence Ambitions​

The Tejas program embodies India's growing aspiration for self-reliance in defense technology.

The success of the Tejas Mk-IA, along with the ongoing development of the Mk-II variant, demonstrates India's capability to design and produce advanced fighter aircraft.

The continued evolution of the Tejas platform through potential variants like the Mk-1B signals India's commitment to a robust, indigenously developed air combat capability.

 

[Ajath]

Not to take away from DRDO, but the Agni missile was conceptualized from the SLV launcher made by ISRO.

Missiles could have come from DRDO. But nuclear warheads are designed by BAARC and other Atomic energy agency. Our nukes are plutonium based.
After all no country will fire a zero warhead missile .

 

[beencensured]

Bruh....
Delivery of first jet has not happened and IAF already talking about upgrades.

I think MoD should act as middleman between customer(IAF, Army) and Supplier(HAL, Other DPSU, Private players) so that both are grounded in reality and behave properly.

There is plenty of time to add to mk1A before the second batch is production start and delivered. It usually take three years to develop a new update and can be put on 97 Tejas of second batch easily. Please do not think that periodical updates is wrong.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

There is plenty of time to add to mk1A before the second batch is production start and delivered. It usually take three years to develop a new update and can be put on 97 Tejas of second batch easily. Please do not think that periodical updates is wrong.

I think periodic updates are great. All major fighters are built in batches and new batches or 'blocks' have new upgrades.

Reason for my sigh, is that IAF should have at least flown mk1a jets for some time to at least know what is needed. They have not received a single jet yet.

How will they know what upgrades are needed if they have not carried out sorties or mass exercises with mk1a jets yet

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

The mk1b varient will not come before 2028-29, so by that time, there's high probability that we will be able to develop a sufficient engine with enough thrust.

Kaveri will go into production by early 2030's because only certification takes 3-4 years itself + we don't have a testbed and it consumes time to pass files from one department to another department to do small things in DPSUs..

Earliest by the time of mid-time refit , 2034-36 Kaveri will be available for Tejas mk1a , also in future with newer technology power cosumer will increase

 

[Akshat]

Then the question remains who approved them at this late stage. Why could it not be incorporated as a block upgrade program and why did it have to be integrated within the first batches that were rolling out. Obviously key directives have been lost in translation, and we are without any idea as to who and when those changes were approved and adopted. Modifications to Tejas MK1A should never have been allowed post contract finalization. A comprehensive adoption plan on all those changes should have been either presented before the contract was signed in 2021 or should have rolled out in subsequent upgrade package during the block upgrade program.

I am saying it again. No one needs to approve it. I see 2 possible cases here.

1. HAL went rogue and made those changes on its own.
2. No new changes were made. These changes were already part of the upgrade package of mk1a and now HAL is spreading this fake news that these are new changes to buy time.

Second one is most likely as otherwise any changes will cost money and so far no one in MoD has approved any revised figures for these changes. As they say, follow the money. With no money approved, new changes are impossible.

 

[Pink Panther]

Bruh....
Delivery of first jet has not happened and IAF already talking about upgrades.

I think MoD should act as middleman between customer(IAF, Army) and Supplier(HAL, Other DPSU, Private players) so that both are grounded in reality and behave properly.

I wonder if IAF wants MK2 also, they are going to make all the changes that are going to come in Tejas Mk2 to MK1B and name it MK2 and be done, then they will jump to TEDBF and AMCA, so it is foreign single engine fighter jet may be, F21 OR Gripen?.

Without Smoke there is no Fire.

There was an article yesterday about F21

F-21: India Might End Up with the Best F-16 Fighting Falcon Ever

The F-21, boasting upgraded mission computers, avionics, and enhanced communication systems, represents not just a technological leap but a strategic advantage in India's quest to counterbalance Chinese influence.

nationalinterest.org

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

I am saying it again. No one needs to approve it. I see 2 possible cases here.

1. HAL went rogue and made those changes on its own.
2. No new changes were made. These changes were already part of the upgrade package of mk1a and now HAL is spreading this fake news that these are new changes to buy time.

Second one is most likely as otherwise any changes will cost money and so far no one in MoD has approved any revised figures for these changes. As they say, follow the money. With no money approved, new changes are impossible.

HAL bureaucracy is such that they rarely move without getting explicit written approvals. So is the MoD bureaucracy, where u cant even procure a batch of Fastners without having to fill up a whole bunch of requisition forms. For every small material procurement approval companies under DRDO need to go through vigilance approved channel. The curse of bureaucratic red tape is such that hardly anything happens in defense industry without the explicit permissions.

Now u could argue that they did not keep top MoD in loop but approvals would be there. Although it would not be the first time HAL going rouge, having gone off tangent and initiated work on the Marut trainer which nobody requested. But that's highly unlikely in a high profile project such as Tejas which is under acute supervision of MoD.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I wonder if IAF wants MK2 also, they are going to make all the changes that are going to come in Tejas Mk2 to MK1B and name it MK2 and be done, then they will jump to TEDBF and AMCA, so it is foreign single engine fighter jet may be, F21 OR Gripen?.

Without Smoke there is no Fire.

Yeah, I am also hearing murmurings of mk2 being doomed.

IAF has committed to buying 200+ mk2. I dont think a sudden change will happen to that commitment. Mk2 is going to be future workhorse of IAF. AMCA cant be built in large numbers, and mk1a,b are just not capable enough when it comes to range/payload.

Also, in 2030s I believe the production line of Tejas will be seamlessly shifted to mk2. Since both of them share many parts. That is another advantage.

 

[Pink Panther]

Yeah, I am also hearing murmurings of mk2 being doomed.

IAF has committed to buying 200+ mk2. I dont think a sudden change will happen to that commitment. Mk2 is going to be future workhorse of IAF. AMCA cant be built in large numbers, and mk1a,b are just not capable enough when it comes to range/payload.

Also, in 2030s I believe the production line of Tejas will be seamlessly shifted to mk2. Since both of them share many parts. That is another advantage.

There is also a possibility of private company for an example Tata making MRFA single engine jet in parallel with making MK2, MK2 is very important for India and is going to be the backbone in the future, that is cheap and could be mass produced like Chinese J10.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

There is also a possibility of private company for an example Tata making MRFA single engine jet in parallel with making MK2, MK2 is very important for India and is going to be the backbone in the future, that is cheap and could be mass produced like Chinese J10.

Whole heartedly agree.

 

[Pink Panther]

Whole heartedly agree.

This is the only way we can make them fast, there is absolutely no other option, this way the private company will also earn valuable knowledge of jet making and could be used in all future projects to share the load of HAL.

 

[kumar]

Apparently, those changes were not requested by IAF top brass, at least not immediately. So somebody screwed up and approved such changes at last minute before delivery. Under no circumstances such wholesale changes to canopy or flight computer should have ever been accommodated. It screws up logistic supply chain and not only increases the cost of production but also is responsible for delays. Thats why the people involved in clearing those changes be it in DRDO, HAL or IAF need to be booted out ASAP.

Why will HAL or drdo change canopy without IAF specifying the same, especially at last minute. Everybody involved knows the problem it will cause in production. That's why I am saying, that our armed forces are also pretty good in asking for last minute changes. Be it IAF or IA.

 

[Akhil]

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-more-tejas-jets-light-combat-choppers-mega-defence-deal-9048652/

Another important factor. AoN has already been granted. And it mentions Mk1a by name. So this whole thing is a fantasy.

I read the article and it said that "no major change" will be made. Now define major change.

MK1 to MK1A had only 4 major changes. There is no mention of how many minor changes IAF has asked. They could have asked for 1 or a 1000 for all we know.
So again, your whole propaganda is a fantasy.

 

[Benith Israel]

The mk1b varient will not come before 2028-29, so by that time, there's high probability that we will be able to develop a sufficient engine with enough thrust.

Your hope will not manifest into reality. A new kaveri afterburner is needed for the stated goal of 85-90 kn. Design and development might take 5 years if Godrej does it. Testing, improving and certifying takes takes 5 more years. These kind of over Simplification of complex supply chains and logistics disregarding scientific thought process is the reason for all our delays. Tejas mk1 was almost written off because GTRE could not finish development of kaveri before IOC. When more power was needed for tejas mk1 instead of reducing weight of airframe or upgrading f404 to f414, DRDO did it's babu giri to fund a new program called Tejas mk2. They could have modified the intakes and put in f414 and the damn thing fly in 2015. Tejas mk2 is a redundant program due to long time taken just for paperwork.

 

[ajay bhaskar]

No Any new development or changes the airforce wants should be intimated to HAL ADA OR DRDO immediately. This is what is called KAIZAN. The production should start but the changes can be done slowly and steadily. That is why mk1b is there. Very good work by HAL ADA AND DRDO. Keep on giving improvements changes or upgrades and with both the parties THE AIR FORCE AND HAL ADA AND DRDO should mutually come to an agreement. Also never ever shy to communicate to Air Force about the desired changes. Remember MORE THE COMMUNICATION THE BETTER THE OUTCOME TO THE PROBLEMS.