Tejas Mk1A Prepares for Live-Fire Trials at Pokhran Range

India's domestically produced Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is entering a pivotal phase of development as it prepares for a series of crucial weapons tests at the Pokhran firing range.

The successful integration of advanced weaponry is essential for the Tejas Mk1A to achieve operational clearance and join the Indian Air Force (IAF) later this year.

The Tejas Mk1A represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor, incorporating a state-of-the-art EL/M-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar from Israel's Elta Systems.

This necessitates rigorous testing and validation to ensure seamless compatibility with the aircraft's air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems.

The sprawling Pokhran range in Rajasthan will provide the ideal backdrop for the Tejas Mk1A's weapons integration trials. These tests will meticulously assess the aircraft's ability to effectively utilize its arsenal under realistic combat scenarios.

Upon successful completion of the weapons trials and subsequent operational clearance, the first squadron of Tejas Mk1A fighters is slated to be inducted into the IAF and stationed at the Nal airbase in Rajasthan.

Significantly, two Mk1A jets will be deployed near the India-Pakistan border, reinforcing India's air defense capabilities in a sensitive region.

The Tejas Mk1A's upgraded AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare suite, and expanded weapons compatibility promise to bolster the IAF's operational effectiveness. The platform's deployment along the border highlights India's commitment to maintaining a robust deterrent posture.

The Tejas Mk1A program is a testament to India's growing aerospace prowess. Its successful development and the impending weapons testing mark a significant milestone in India's pursuit of self-reliance in defense technology.

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

Still delays… two three months back, everyone from HAL/MoD was promising to deliver first mk1a to IAF by 31st March… 🤦🏻‍♂️
Why they keep making false promises…. Its a world standard for any new type of fighter to undergo tests, fly for minimum hours then get certification for every change point which is incorporated like in case of mk1a these are Aesa radar, LRUs, self protection kit, displays and controls in cockpit, minor structural changes etc etc list is long and it will take definitely a year to fly and certify all these upgrades…… so best mk1a can enter service will be by end of Dec…

 

[NSR]

Wonderful news to start a day with.
Way to go!!!

But I would like to know the delivery milestones of Tejas IA.
As I understand, HAL will deliver few this year, and then 8 in 2025, and then 12 in each subsequent years.
However, that kind of deliveries will not help arrest squadron strength depletion.

I hope that GoI brings in a private company and opens a new manufacturing plant to accelerate the deliveries.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

I hope that GoI brings in a private company and opens a new manufacturing plant to accelerate the deliveries.

And, you did not touch upon the problem at all.

The real problem is not that the government is not bringing in private companies to open new manufacturing. Far from it. As a matter of fact, the government had setup a SPV for private player to take forward the AMCA project.

But, here is a problem. As long as HAL exists as a DPSU, for a Private contractor a bidding process would be equal ro that of a ordinary school student contesting a school contest against Misha Bharti, in Bihar.

If the government wants to push private players, it needs to spin HAL off as a private company through disnvestment. Or scale down its operations to R&D only and let the logistics and integration to other players.

 

[bonito]

Still delays… two three months back, everyone from HAL/MoD was promising to deliver first mk1a to IAF by 31st March… 🤦🏻‍♂️
Why they keep making false promises…. Its a world standard for any new type of fighter to undergo tests, fly for minimum hours then get certification for every change point which is incorporated like in case of mk1a these are Aesa radar, LRUs, self protection kit, displays and controls in cockpit, minor structural changes etc etc list is long and it will take definitely a year to fly and certify all these upgrades…… so best mk1a can enter service will be by end of Dec…

As I predicted earlier Sep 2025 or earlier Jan 2025. Reason there is still 3 trainers jets in various stages of production. 2 yet to start. In meanwhile if they start another plant Jan 2025 is reality.

 

[NSR]

And, you did not touch upon the problem at all.

The real problem is not that the government is not bringing in private companies to open new manufacturing. Far from it. As a matter of fact, the government had setup a SPV for private player to take forward the AMCA project.

But, here is a problem. As long as HAL exists as a DPSU, for a Private contractor a bidding process would be equal ro that of a ordinary school student contesting a school contest against Misha Bharti, in Bihar.

If the government wants to push private players, it needs to spin HAL off as a private company through disnvestment. Or scale down its operations to R&D only and let the logistics and integration to other players.

Bhai, India got to something to attract private companies and/or at least infuse HAL projects with private players to do various tasks even in HAL factories.

Otherwise, they will keep doing things in a lackadaisical manner forever.

Something gotta change or else how in the world HAL will handle Tejas IA, Tejas Mk2, TEDBF, AMCA, and not to mention so much overhaul works on SU-30MKIs, Mig-29UPGs, Mirage-2000UPGs, etc

 

[Sandeep]

This is very good news because we need to install several types of bombs and missiles but they need to be indigenously made. We need to quickly develop the Astra IR, MK2, MK3 and long range precision bombs which are all critically needed to cut down on expensive foreign imports.

Developing our own capabilities is more important which shows the world that India can design and develop its own weapons not just for itself but for other countries that fly with Russian planes. If we are able to install it on the Rafale or other jet then we can have a one common weapon platform throughout all of our foreign and indigenous planes which will make it easier to order in larger numbers. This will reduce the price per missile if we ordered regularly as well so it will benefit us by bringing in more orders.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

This is quite natural if Tejas mark-1A takes few months to validate all systems and integrate all weapons. Even Rafales after reaching Bharat in July 2020 took few months in getting inducted into IAF. Good job . Improve further and fast .

 

[Borodine]

As I predicted earlier Sep 2025 or earlier Jan 2025. Reason there is still 3 trainers jets in various stages of production. 2 yet to start. In meanwhile if they start another plant Jan 2025 is reality.

Why would weapons testing take that long?

 

[Hari Sud]

Still delays… two three months back, everyone from HAL/MoD was promising to deliver first mk1a to IAF by 31st March… 🤦🏻‍♂️
Why they keep making false promises…. Its a world standard for any new type of fighter to undergo tests, fly for minimum hours then get certification for every change point which is incorporated like in case of mk1a these are Aesa radar, LRUs, self protection kit, displays and controls in cockpit, minor structural changes etc etc list is long and it will take definitely a year to fly and certify all these upgrades…… so best mk1a can enter service will be by end of Dec…

Sometimes it looks that much of the manufactured time frame is done by the person who wrote the article. Hence truth is when official press release comes.

 

[Pink Panther]

And, you did not touch upon the problem at all.

The real problem is not that the government is not bringing in private companies to open new manufacturing. Far from it. As a matter of fact, the government had setup a SPV for private player to take forward the AMCA project.

But, here is a problem. As long as HAL exists as a DPSU, for a Private contractor a bidding process would be equal ro that of a ordinary school student contesting a school contest against Misha Bharti, in Bihar.

If the government wants to push private players, it needs to spin HAL off as a private company through disnvestment. Or scale down its operations to R&D only and let the logistics and integration to other players.

That must be the plan for making MK2 most probably by TATA, which might start making MRFA jets first and switch to making MK2 and later on make AMCA, in that mean time HAL will be busy making MK1A and MK1B , Super Sukhoi upgrade and MIG-29 UPG upgrade, with repeated MODS asked by IAF.

 

[SuvarPakisareHomos]

Good. Show some more urgency please. We need numbers also.