SOURCE: AFI
India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program is set to take another step forward as the Tejas Mk1A variant transitions to the advanced Elbit DASH-V Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), moving away from the DASH-IV helmets currently used on the Tejas Mk1. This upgrade, highlighted in recent posts on X, marks a significant enhancement in pilot situational awareness and combat effectiveness, aligning the Mk1A with modern fighter jet standards as India pushes for self-reliance in defense technology.
The DASH-V HMDS, developed by Israel’s Elbit Systems, offers improved features over its predecessor, the DASH-IV, which has been in use since the Tejas Mk1 entered service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2016. The DASH-V provides a wider field of view, enhanced night vision capabilities, and better integration with the aircraft’s avionics, allowing pilots to track targets and deploy weapons more efficiently by simply looking at the target. This upgrade is part of over 40 improvements in the Tejas Mk1A, which also includes the Israeli EL/M-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an advanced electronic warfare suite, and the indigenous Astra Mk-1 beyond-visual-range missile.
The transition to DASH-V comes at a critical juncture for the IAF, which is grappling with a squadron strength of 31 against a sanctioned 42.5, as noted in a Business Standard report from December 2024. The Tejas Mk1A is a cornerstone of India’s effort to modernize its aging fleet, with the IAF having ordered 83 jets in a ?36,468 crore deal in 2021, followed by an additional 97 jets cleared for procurement. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has faced delays in deliveries, primarily due to supply chain issues with GE Aerospace’s F404-IN20 engines, though the first engine was delivered in March 2025, according to The Hindu. HAL now aims to deliver 12 Tejas Mk1A jets by the end of 2025, ramping up to 24 jets annually, as stated in their recent earnings call.
While the DASH-V upgrade enhances the Tejas Mk1A’s capabilities, the broader context of the program raises questions about execution. HAL’s delivery timelines have repeatedly slipped, with the first Mk1A delivery initially slated for March 2024 but now expected later this year. The IAF’s frustration, publicly voiced by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh in February 2025, underscores the urgency of timely induction to replace aging MiG-21s and other legacy aircraft. Moreover, while the DASH-V is a step forward, its reliance on foreign technology—despite India’s push for indigenization—highlights a gap in domestic HMDS development, a concern given that the Tejas Mk1A’s indigenization level is only 65%, up from 58% in the Mk1.
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