SOURCE: AFI
On May 13, 2025, aviation enthusiasts and defense analysts were treated to an impressive sight as the Tejas Mk1A, India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), was observed in flight sporting an air-to-air (A2A) configuration. The aircraft, a prototype of the advanced Mk1A variant, was equipped with a formidable payload: two Astra Mk-1 missiles and two ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile) systems. This development marks a significant milestone in the Tejas program, showcasing its evolving capabilities as a multi-role fighter in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Tejas Mk1A, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is an upgraded version of the original Tejas Mk1, featuring enhanced avionics, improved maintainability, and an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The aircraft is designed to bridge the gap between legacy fighters like the MiG-21 and more advanced platforms in the IAF’s fleet, offering a lightweight, agile solution for both air defense and ground attack roles.
In the recent sighting, the Tejas Mk1A was configured for air-to-air combat, carrying two Astra Mk-1 missiles, India’s first indigenously developed beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM). The Astra Mk-1, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), boasts a range of over 100 km and is designed to engage enemy aircraft with high precision, even in electronic countermeasures-heavy environments. Complementing the Astra missiles were two ASRAAMs, a British-made short-range missile known for its agility and effectiveness in close-quarters aerial combat. The ASRAAM’s advanced infrared homing capability makes it a lethal weapon for dogfights, giving the Tejas Mk1A a robust A2A arsenal.
This configuration highlights the Tejas Mk1A’s growing versatility and its ability to integrate both indigenous and foreign weaponry, a key requirement for the IAF as it seeks to balance self-reliance with operational effectiveness. The combination of the long-range Astra Mk-1 and the agile ASRAAM positions the Tejas Mk1A as a credible contender in aerial combat scenarios, capable of engaging targets at both extended ranges and in close combat.
The flight of the Tejas Mk1A prototype in this A2A configuration also underscores the progress of the program amidst challenges. The IAF has ordered 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, with deliveries expected to ramp up in the coming years. While the program has faced delays in the past, sightings like this demonstrate HAL’s commitment to meeting the IAF’s requirements and pushing the platform’s capabilities forward.
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