HAL Tejas
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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 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 percent by value and 75.5 percent by the number of line replaceable units. The indigenous content of the Tejas Mk 1A is expected to surpass 70 percent in the next four years. Learn More
Aircraft Specifications
Country: India
Manufacturer: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Year: 2015
Number Built: 50
Active: Yes
Powerplant: 1 x General Electric F404-GE-IN20 afterburning turbofan with FADEC
Number of Crew: 1
Length: 13.20m
Height: 4.40m
Vertical Stabilizers: 1
Wingtype: Fixed
Wingspan: 8.20m
Wing Area: 38.40m²
Gross Weight: 9,800kg
Max Speed: 2,220 km/h (Mach 1.80)
Range: 739km
Thrust to Weight Ratio: 1.07