India’s DRDO added one more feather on their cap just after India’s Supersonic Light Combat Aircraft Tejas successfully test fired Israel’s Python-5 air-to air short range missile.
This target range of this fifth generation infra-red guided Phthon-5 short range missile is 20 km. This advanced missile will definitely enhance Tejas LCA’s air-to-air combat capability in a phenomenal manner in future.
Derby Air-to-Air BVR Missile:-
In May 2017, Tejas LCA successfully test fired Israel’s Derby Air-to-Air beyond visual range missile and the same has already been integrated with the LCA earlier. This missile’s target range is 50s and it has already given more teeth on LCA’s air-to-air combat capability.
In February 2021, Indian Government has decided to install India’s indigenous Uttam radars on 63 Tejas Mark 1A LCA that was developed by a DRDO Lab called LRDE (Electronics and Radar Development Establishment).
About Uttam Radar:-
Uttam Radar is an indigenous state-of-the-art AESA radar that is highly capable for tracking multiple targets at a time and is capable for taking hi-resolution pictures to aid in reconnaissance.
Uttam Radar is a current generation system with wide range features. It allows the fighter jets to boost of low probability of intercept and non co-operative target recognition. It is also providing much better situational awareness of the battlefield scenario.
Uttam Radar is capable for tracking multiple targets with high accuracy suitable for firing missiles and interleaved air-to-air, air-to-ground and air-to-sea modes for all terrain solutions.
About Tejas LCA:-
Tejas is an indigenous 4+ generation single seat Supersonic Light Combat Fighter aircraft which is having wide range stealth like features.
Tejas is highly maneuverable, multi-role, smallest and lightest in its class contemporary combat aircraft designed for the Indian Air Force designed and developed by DRDO.
Tejas MK1 LCA is able to carry wide range of weapons such as beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air short range missiles, Python-5 air-to air short range missiles, laser-guided bombs, glide bombs, cluster bombs, a 23-mm cannon, etc.
This fighter aircraft is able to carry payload upto 3,500 kg and the same is best suited for offensive air support. Tejas is widely considered as a ‘game changer’ for India’s air defense preparedness.
Tejas MK1A LCA is with AESA radar, better EW suite, self-protection jammer etc. It has also got Swing-role (computerized configurable multi-role capability) and Advanced flight control system (Quadruplex 3-axis digital fly-by-wire).
In September 2018, Tejas LCA demonstrated first ever mid-air hot refueling capability meeting a major requirement of the Indian Air Force. This achievement has placed India in an elite group of countries having air-to-air refueling system for military aircrafts.
Tejas has already been tested extensively in a tough flying conditions such as all weather/all terrain/all altitude compatible and till now it has not yet experienced any accident.
India is now in an advanced stage of designing Light Weight BraMmos Cruise Missile that can be fitted and fired from the 83 Tejas MK1 Light Compact Aircraft that is Indian Air Force is going to acquire.The new version of the BrahMos Supersonic Missles will be smaller and it’s range will be about 300kms, but it may be faster speed at about Mach 3.5 (approximately 4322km/hr.)
Conclusion:-
Considering Tejas MK1 LCA’s wide range capabilities, this aircraft is going to assume the role of an interceptor as well as an effective defender of Indian skies in future.
