Tejas Mark 1 A

HAL also proposes to remove 300 kg of dead weight distributed across the Mark I to balance the fighter evenly

India is discussing the sale of 20 Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) with Egypt and 15 Tejas fighters with Argentina

Aerospace giant preparing for likely success in exporting Indian Tejas Mark 1A fighter

HAL chairman Madhavan said that Tejas Mark 1A jet has superior performance levels compared to China's JF-17 combat aircraft as it has better engine, radar system and electronic warfare suit

At Rs 315 crore ($43 million) per fighter, the Tejas Mark 1A would be a viable competitor in the international market for light fighters. It would be less so if taxes took up its cost to Rs 385 crore

Welcoming govt's approval to the Tejas deal, HAL chief R Madhavan described it as a major shot in the arm towards India's goal of achieving self-reliance in the aerospace and aeronautics sector

India's largest indigenous defence procurement deal is worth Rs 45,696 cr

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered 40 Tejas Mark 1 fighters, of which HAL has already built and delivered 16

One new squadron, which will be raised in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, in the coming months, will be equipped with new Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, built by HAL in Nashik

The first of a two-part series focuses on how Tejas Mark 1A will act as a bridge between the Tejas Mark 1 and the Mark 2 fighter

Combat aircraft with upgrades remain in service for many decades

While some of these systems can be bought off the shelf, integrating these on to the Tejas would require comprehensive redesign of the fighter's mission computer