Tejas Mk2 Showcased with Tara PGM, Rudram-II, Astra Mk1, ASRAAM, and SAAW, Promising Enhanced Precision Strike Capabilities

Tejas Mk2 Showcased with Tara PGM, Rudram-II, Astra Mk1, ASRAAM, and SAAW, Promising Enhanced Precision Strike Capabilities


India's advanced indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), the Tejas Mk2, has been newly depicted with an impressive suite of modern armaments, signalling a major step forward in the nation's self-sufficiency in defence technology. This updated configuration equips the aircraft for a wide range of operations, including precise attacks and air dominance.

The newly integrated weaponry features the Tara Precision Guided Munition (PGM), Rudram-II anti-radiation missile, Astra Mk1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missile, and a Quad Rack for the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW), highlighting the aircraft's significantly boosted combat potential.

The Tejas Mk2, a project of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) with manufacturing by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), represents a significant upgrade from the earlier Tejas Mk1. Key enhancements include improved aerodynamic design, a more powerful General Electric F414 engine, and a modernised avionics system.

Recent visual representations of the Tejas Mk2 confirm its capacity to carry a versatile combination of advanced weapons suitable for both air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attacks:
  • Tara PGM (Precision Guided Munition): Developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Tara PGM is a new-generation guided bomb. It is engineered for high-precision targeting of valuable assets like fortified bunkers and critical enemy infrastructure, maintaining accuracy even in challenging weather conditions. Its inclusion on the Tejas Mk2 emphasizes the aircraft's capability for surgical strike operations.
  • Rudram-II: This advanced anti-radiation missile, an improved version of the Rudram-I, is designed for the suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD). The Rudram-II can target enemy radar systems and communication hubs, thereby enabling the Tejas Mk2 to neutralize threats before conducting deeper penetration missions. This makes it an essential tool for operating in heavily defended airspace.
  • Astra Mk1: The Astra Mk1 is India's domestically developed beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), also a product of DRDO. With an effective range exceeding 100 kilometres, it gives the Tejas Mk2 a strong capability to engage hostile aircraft from significant distances, which is crucial for achieving air superiority during aerial combat and interception tasks.
  • ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile): Originating from the United Kingdom, the ASRAAM is a highly manoeuvrable, infrared-guided missile intended for close-range air combat. Its integration into the Tejas Mk2's arsenal enhances the jet's effectiveness against fast-moving targets in within-visual-range encounters, providing a balanced air-to-air capability alongside the Astra Mk1.
  • Quad Rack for SAAW (Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon): The SAAW, another DRDO innovation, is a precision-guided glide bomb created to destroy enemy runways, aircraft shelters, and other airfield facilities. The incorporation of a Quad Rack system allows the Tejas Mk2 to carry four SAAW bombs at once, substantially increasing its destructive power and operational efficiency when attacking well-protected targets.
The fitting of these sophisticated weapons onto the Tejas Mk2 platform is set to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

A strong emphasis on indigenous development means that most of these armaments are produced within India, thereby reducing dependence on international suppliers and strengthening the nation's defence manufacturing sector.

The Tejas Mk2, with its increased weapon carrying capacity and ability to perform multiple roles, is anticipated to replace older aircraft such as the MiG-21s and operate alongside more advanced fighters like the Rafale and Su-30 MKI in the IAF inventory.

The aircraft's capacity to deploy a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions makes it a flexible asset for diverse operational needs, ranging from counter-insurgency support to large-scale conflicts. The Quad Rack for the SAAW, in particular, greatly boosts its power in disabling enemy airfields, a vital function in potential conflicts.

This unveiling of the Tejas Mk2 equipped with its new weapons package demonstrates India's advancing expertise in aerospace and defence technology. As the aircraft progresses towards its expected induction into service in the late 2020s, the IAF anticipates a capable, modern fighter jet that meets its operational requirements while also bolstering the "Make in India" initiative.

The new depictions not only highlight the aircraft's enhanced capabilities but also serve as a positive indicator of India's dedication to developing a self-reliant and technologically advanced air force.
 
Tejas-II and its internal weapon bay variant (-5th gen) should be powered by made in India enhanced GE-414 (114 KN)
 
Not sure by 2030, when Tejas MK2 will be in service, how relevant these kinds of jets and technology will be. The same goes for AMCA as well. I think we have made a big mistake. We should start our indigenous jets with Russian engines, like China is doing. RD93 and AL31 are both very good, and India has all the infra.
 
Astra Mk1 doesn't have AESA seeker and gimballed tracking. We are looking for Astra Mk2 and Gandiva. Additionally, talk about radar capabilities.
 
"Elbit DASH-V Helmet, EL/M 2052 AESA Radar and advanced electronic warfare suite for Tejas MK-1A" (?) Israeli media... Regards.
 
Great to see ADA completing its bi-annual quota of releasing new graphics of Tejas Mk2. Eagerly waiting for new graphics of AMCA with external payload, highlighting its capability to carry missiles and bombs, something which other 5th-gen platforms are reluctant to do so.
 
Not sure by 2030, when Tejas MK2 will be in service, how relevant these kinds of jets and technology will be. The same goes for AMCA as well. I think we have made a big mistake. We should start our indigenous jets with Russian engines, like China is doing. RD93 and AL31 are both very good, and India has all the infra.
Wrong. We don't have any option other than becoming self-reliant. Tejas Mk-2 is a crucial project for AMCA and AMCA will be crucial for any other future development. Skipping steps is not how this will work out.

Tejas Mk-2 is not meant for spearheading any operation, it is essentially a force multiplier, and its role will start after our spearhead has done its job of SEAD. Also, it WILL have MUM-T which is quite significant of a capability. And I don't know about RD93 but the armed forces have many complaints about AL31's (Russian engines in general) maintenance.

Honestly, I'm skeptical about the development program of 120kN engine for AMCA too, because no country will give us such crucial tech, the last time we tried to get consultancy, Safran essentially scammed us, but let's hope for the best and pray that this time around it doesn't happen.

And let's stop believing in Russia too much; they only look out for their interests, and that's how every country works. They cashed a lot of money for Vikramaditya because we were desperate. Even today they signed a deal with Pakistan, regarding steel or something, but as we know the Pork*s would prostitute themselves for weapons, so Russia may send some weapons over there, nothing too sophisticated but still it IS going to be used against us. Let's leave our naïveté behind and look out for our own interests.
 
We had worked on engine namely Kaveri.
Yes, we did work on it, but we have not done it seriously. The estimated funding is around $400 million since it was started (any other jet engine project needed billions of dollars of investment to come to fruition), and it was started in 1980s. Yes, there were many geopolitical and other roadblocks, but if we had shown the will to achieve it in the past, we would have an engine today, but we didn't, so this is the reality that we have to deal with today.
 
Not sure by 2030, when Tejas MK2 will be in service, how relevant these kinds of jets and technology will be. The same goes for AMCA as well. I think we have made a big mistake. We should start our indigenous jets with Russian engines, like China is doing. RD93 and AL31 are both very good, and India has all the infra.
First of all, till HAL is there as a single entity, nothing is going to improve. HAL needs to be proactive. HAL lacks a futuristic approach, which is good for your enemies but surely not good for our country. This kind of approach is costing our armed forces too much. This is high time HAL must directly report to the PMO office, and the PMO, MoD, and Air Force must take a lead to make two to three private manufacturing companies build all kinds of fighter aircraft. We don't need a Maharatna type company like HAL; we need performers. If HAL is not able to take decisions or forecast its engine requirements and can't purchase an engine before signing the deal with the Air Force, it is useless in my opinion. Even if HAL knows that the same engine is required for the upcoming projects, it is useless to give them a Maharatna type tag.
 
Yes, we did work on it, but we have not done it seriously. The estimated funding is around $400 million since it was started (any other jet engine project needed billions of dollars of investment to come to fruition), and it was started in 1980s. Yes, there were many geopolitical and other roadblocks, but if we had shown the will to achieve it in the past, we would have an engine today, but we didn't, so this is the reality that we have to deal with today.
Kaveri didn't stall due to a lack of funding but due to a lack of material technology needed for advanced jet engines. Instead of correcting this shortcoming, GTRE kept flogging the dead horse to waste time until the fighter jet engine became a UAV engine, and they announce it like it's some proud moment.
 
Russian engines may not be the best, but US blackmailing doesn't allow India to breathe. Russia seems to be the reliable alternative until India becomes self-sufficient. Super SU-30 MKI with a few SU-57s could serve our cause till AMCA becomes ready.
 
Kaveri didn't stall due to a lack of funding but due to a lack of material technology needed for advanced jet engines. Instead of correcting this shortcoming, GTRE kept flogging the dead horse to waste time until the fighter jet engine became a UAV engine, and they announce it like it's some proud moment.
Why can't both be the reason, eh? Every jet engine ever made for modern fighter jets needed enormous funds of billions, and we just provided $400 million. The funding could also be a reason why we didn't develop better material technology. We don't even have a High Altitude Testing Facility, and it is the basic investment needed for any engine's development. So, let's just stop only blaming them. Yes, they are to blame, but we as voters are also to blame because we didn't provide them funds and did not pressure the previous governments to keep an accountability check on GTRE. Let's start to look at the whole picture and look at the problems instead of blaming just one cog in the wheel, because other cogs are pretty rusty too.
 

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