Tejas Preps for Next-Gen Arsenal: Astra MkIII, BrahMos-NG, Tara Smart Munitions, and Beyond

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking a bold step to transform its indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) into a more potent adversary.

Through a collaborative effort with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the IAF's Software Development Institute (SDI) will lead the charge in integrating a suite of advanced weapon systems into the latest Tejas Mk1A fighter.

A Powerful Arsenal in the Works​

The planned weapon upgrades for the Tejas offer a glimpse into India's air combat ambitions. Among the potential additions are:

• Astra Mk-III: This beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), with a projected range of over 300km, would significantly extend the Tejas' engagement envelope.
• Tara Smart Munitions: These precision-guided munitions, offered in 250kg, 450kg, and 500kg variants, would enhance the Tejas' strike capabilities against various ground targets.
• Rudram and Rudram-II Missiles: Specializing in anti-radiation and air-to-surface roles, these missiles target enemy air defenses and ground installations, making them valuable for suppression or destruction missions.
• BrahMos-NG: A smaller, lighter version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the BrahMos-NG would substantially boost the Tejas' standoff strike potential.

These weapons, if successfully integrated, would significantly increase the lethality and versatility of the Tejas platform.

Self-Reliance and SDI's Critical Role​

The IAF's decision to entrust the integration process to its own Software Development Institute is noteworthy. This move indicates a greater emphasis on self-reliance in defence technology.

The SDI will oversee testing, software updates, and the fine-tuning necessary to make these weapons fully compatible with the Tejas' systems. This in-house approach could accelerate the integration timeline compared to relying solely on external vendors.

The Tejas Factor​

This weapons upgrade program underscores the growing importance of the Tejas fighter within the IAF's force structure.

The commitment to 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, alongside the potential expansion to a fleet exceeding 200 fighters, represents a strong endorsement of the platform's capabilities.

The advanced weapons integration spearheaded by the SDI will further bolster the aircraft's role in India's air defence strategies, especially as they will also be part of the planned Tejas MkII fighters weapons package.

Takeaways​

The Tejas weapon integration initiative marks a significant milestone in India's push to become a major aerospace power.

By developing advanced weaponry and asserting greater control over the integration process, the IAF is positioning itself for enhanced responsiveness and a reduced reliance on foreign defence contractors in a complex geopolitical environment.

 

[Sandeep]

India is currently using its 100% indigenously developed precision guided HSLD bombs and laser guided Sudarshan bombs but they both have a low distance range which needs to be increased. Hopefully the TARA series of precision/laser guided or dual guided bombs will have a longer range of at least 100km so that we can safely hit targets from within our borders and it will cut down importing foreign expensive bombs.

Currently India needs to increase manufacturing speed of the Tejas MK1A jets even though a few have been delivered but they need to deliver the trainer variants first. All Tejas MK1A and MK2 jets need to use the 100% indigenously designed and developed missiles and bombs so we can cut down on foreign expensive imports. Currently only Astra MK1 has been cleared and installed on our jets as it's the only BVRAAM that's passed all tests whereas we still need to design, develop or test the Astra IR, MK2, MK3 missile. Astra IR is for close range WVRAAM/BVRAAM and just about beyond visual range missile as it can be used for both but it's the first indigenous close range missile that's still under development and essential as they are complicated and difficult to develop. As for ASTRA MK2 and MK3 we need to speed up developing and testing them as they are a critical necessity to defend and to increase our fire power.

As for Rudram we are developing MK1, MK2 and MK3 which are ideal for hitting surface targets but they can use two variants. One variant is a radiation type to hit radar installations and destroy SAM defence network and the other is a simple missile ideal to hit any types of surface targets like bases or bunkers. The MK1 version has a range of about 150km but MK2 and MK3 will be hypersonic missiles which can hit targets of up to 550km which is ideal to hit key important targets which will destroy everything by hitting it at that speed and with a added warhead it is impossible for anything to survive that.

 

[Sandeep]

FOCUS ON GLIDE BOMS...

RUSSIA AND ISREAL IS HEAVILY USING GLIDE BOMBS IN REPECTIVE WAR..

We already have 2 types of glide bombs. Gaurav with a wing has a 100km range and we have the Gautham with no wing has a 30km range. Currently we are designing a long range glide bomb but using laser guidance to make it more accurate and it's range will be around 50-150 km.

 

[Hari Sud]

Astra Mk3, Rudram, Brahmos NG- Yeh sab lagaogey kahan, uncle?

@ the rate of 2 Tejas per year that HAL can actually deliver, pipeline ka samaan pipe me hi rah jayega.

If IAF really wants things to improve, it should either push government to privatize HAL, or split order with a private integrator to assemble and deliver Tejas independently of HAL, to balance production and generate redundancy in assembly.

You are understating 2 Tejas per year. You know it better that only first two 1A are ready. When fully operational then the rate of production increases much more.

 

[Bharat007]

Biggest problem is that HAL couldn't even deliver proposed rate of production! High time GoI should allow Tatas to co-produce Tejas Mk1 and Mk2.

 

[Frank]

We already have 2 types of glide bombs. Gaurav with a wing has a 100km range and we have the Gautham with no wing has a 30km range. Currently we are designing a long range glide bomb but using laser guidance to make it more accurate and it's range will be around 50-150 km.

100 KM SHOULD BE OR SAMs will intercept like in russian SUs shot down by ukraine

also guidance should be better only laser guidence will be drawback

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

You are understating 2 Tejas per year. You know it better that only first two 1A are ready. When fully operational then the rate of production increases much more.

What is the projected rate of production per year?

 

[Rajesh]

Neither hal nor this govt is capable in manufacturing jets . Hal(which a govt organisation) master in finding excuses which will be the American engines now.

 

[nakul1307]

I just read the phrase "IAFs growing reliance on Tejas.." and rolled my eyes. Which "growing reliance" are they even talking about? There's hardly any Tejas out there in first place? How can you rely on planes which are not existing yet?

They meant Reliance of Ambani is growing.

 

[nakul1307]

we already have Astra mk3!!! Astra series developing pretty fast and amazing.

Not really. Mk2 about to debut

 

[Sandeep]

100 KM SHOULD BE OR SAMs will intercept like in russian SUs shot down by ukraine

also guidance should be better only laser guidence will be drawback

Laser guidance is more accurate rather than others. Also we do need to quickly design and finish these crucial projects.

 

[Prashu Sam]

All pipeline is good, All above plans are great. Everything is right thinking, right direction and right support from all.

Only problem is delivery and timeline. MK1A delivery is so slow that by the time we fructify all above it will be too late. PAF will have J-10C, J-31 and J-17 Block 3. May be KAAAN in few years. PAF will have TB2/TB3 and AKINA in large number withing next 7-10 years and we will be catching up.

This should have done yesterday, but we talk more and deliver less
6 Mk1A in 2024, 8 In 2025 and 12-16 in 2027. It is extremely low number