HAL Tejas
The HAL Tejas (lit. 'Radiance') is an Indian single-engine, advanced 4th generation delta wing multirole combat aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy. Tejas made its first flight in 2001 and entered into service with the IAF in 2015. In 2003, the aircraft was officially named "Tejas". Currently Tejas is the smallest and lightest in its class of supersonic combat aircraft.
| Tejas | |
|---|---|
| HAL Tejas from No. 18 Squadron IAF | |
| Role | Multirole combat aircraft |
| National origin | India |
| Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
| Design group | Aeronautical Development Agency Aircraft Research and Design Centre (HAL) Aeronautical Development Establishment |
| First flight | 4 January 2001 |
| Introduction | 17 January 2015 |
| Status | In production |
| Primary user | Indian Air Force |
| Produced | 2001–present |
| Number built | 51 |
| Developed into | Tejas Mk2 |
Tejas is the second supersonic combat aircraft developed by HAL after the HF-24 Marut. The first Tejas squadron became operational in 2016. The No. 45 Squadron IAF - Flying Daggers was the first to have their MiG-21 Bisons replaced with the Tejas.
Tejas has three production variants - Tejas Mark 1, Mark 1A and Tejas trainer/light attack aircraft. The IAF currently has placed an order for 123 Tejas and is planning to procure 97 more. The IAF plans to procure at least 324 aircraft or 18 squadrons of Tejas in all variants, including the heavier Tejas Mark 2 which is currently being developed.
As of 2022, the indigenous content in the Tejas Mark 1 is 59.7% by value and 75.5% by the number of line replaceable units. The indigenous content of the Tejas Mk 1A is expected to surpass 70% in the next four years.