In the intention of boosting India’s indigenous defense technologies, the Government of India has decided to install Uttam radars on 63 Tejas Mark 1A LCA that was developed by a DRDO Lab called LRDE (Electronics and Radar Development Establishment).
As per the latest agreement, Hindustan Aeronautic Ltd (HAL) has to supply 83 Tejas Mark 1A LCA to Indian Air Force. HAL will install AESA radars EL/M 2052 on the remaining 20 Tejas Mark 1A LCA that has developed by an Israeli firm ELTA.
During the trial run, Uttam radar performed much better than anticipated earlier, and the DRDO has already signed an MoU with HAL to supply the same for installing on the 63 Tejas Mark 1A LCA.
About Uttam Radar:-
Uttam Radar is a state-of-the-art AESA radar that is capable to track multiple targets at a time and the same is able to take hi-resolution pictures to aid in reconnaissance. This Radar has already been tested on two Tejas LCAs and one executive jet earlier.
Uttam Radar is basically a current generation system with various features that allows fighter aircraft to boost of low probability of intercept and non co-operative target recognition. It also provides better situational awareness of the battlefield scenario and is capable of 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 Aircraft:-
Tejas is the smallest single-seat, first indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, tailless, compound delta-wing design, having many stealth-like features and a single-engine combat aircraft in the world. Single engine fighter aircraft’s ground attack performance is always been much lesser than the twin engine aircraft.
Tejas Light Compact Aircraft is a 4+ generation, supersonic, highly maneuverable, multi-role, smallest and lightest in its class contemporary combat aircraft designed for the Indian Air Force designed and developed by DRDO. This aircraft is considered as a ‘game changer’ for India’s air defense preparedness.
Tejas LCA Mk 1A is a supersonic fighter at all altitudes for air combat. It can carry a payload of 3,500 kg and it is best suited for offensive air support.
The upgraded Tejas MK1A LCA is a 4.5 Generation Compact fighter aircraft 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.
Tejas MK1 LCA would assume a role of interceptor and would be used to defend Indian skies in an effective manner. It’s overall size is small, good power to weight ratio and relaxed stability gives it higher maneuverability and agility which make it lethal machine for dog fight.
Tejas MK 1A LCA is all set to induct in Indian Air Force in a major way to replace Indian Air Force’s ailing ‘vintage’ series of MiG-21 as as well MIG-27.
Altogether Indian Air Force ordered 123 Tejas fighter Aircrafts till now to make up the huge-shortfall of India’s fighter Aircraft strength that has been depleting fast from 42 to 33 squadrons. Out of 123 Tejas fighters, only 40 will be Tejas MK 1 LCA and the rest 83 will be an upgraded version that is Tejas MK 1A LCA.
Tejas LCA’s first flight test literally started about two decades ago. During this period Tejas has been extensively tested in a tough flying conditions such as all weather/all terrain/all altitude compatible and till now it has not yet experienced any accident. This is considered to be rare in the world of flight testing.
The upgraded version of Tejas MK 1A LCA is claimed to have the potential to compete with the Rafale Fighter Jet of France in all respects. Some of Tejas’ design features are highly interesting and it is much better than other fighter aircrafts in the world.
Tejas MK1 LCA is able to carry wide varieties of weapons such as short-range and beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missiles, laser-guided bombs, glide bombs, cluster bombs, a 23-mm cannon, etc. It’s Elbit DASH Helmet Mounted Display System that enables the pilots to aim their weapons simply by looking at the target. Tejas MK 1A LCA will be equipped with a long-range missile of the Meteor class for enhanced capability.
India is now in an advanced stage of designing Light Weight BrahMos 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 Missiles will be smaller and it’s range may be about 300kms, but it may be faster speed at about Mach 3.5 (approximately 4322km/hr.)
In September 2018, India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas 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 planes.
Conclusion:-
Considering Tejas MK1 LCA’s wide range capabilities, many countries such as Egypt, Sri Lanka, the UAE and Singapore, etc have already been “shown interest” in purchasing Tejas MK 1A LCA. Indian Government is now seriously considering in supply the same in future.
