HAL Tejas
Indian lightweight multirole fighter / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The HAL Tejas (Sanskrit: ISO: Tējasa, lit. 'Radiance') is an Indian single-engine, 4.5 generation delta wing multirole[10] combat aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy.[11][12] Tejas made its first flight in 2001 and entered into service with the IAF in 2015.[13][14] In 2003, the aircraft was officially named 'Tejas'.[15] Currently Tejas is the smallest and lightest in its class of supersonic combat aircraft.[16]
Tejas | |
---|---|
HAL Tejas from No. 18 Squadron IAF | |
Role | Multirole combat aircraft |
National origin | India |
Manufacturer | Hindustan Aeronautics Limited |
Design group | Aeronautical Development Agency Aircraft Research and Design Centre (HAL) Aeronautical Development Establishment |
First flight | 4 January 2001[1] |
Introduction | 17 January 2015[2] |
Status | In production[3] |
Primary user | Indian Air Force |
Produced | 2001–present |
Number built | 51[lower-alpha 1] |
Developed into | Tejas Mk2 |
Tejas is the second supersonic combat aircraft developed by HAL after the HF-24 Marut.[17] The first Tejas squadron became operational in 2016. The No. 45 Squadron IAF - Flying Daggers was the first to have their MiG-21 Bisons replaced with the Tejas.[18]
Tejas has three production variants - Tejas Mark 1, Mark 1A and Tejas trainer/light attack aircraft. The IAF currently has placed an order for 123 Tejas and is planning to procure 97 more.[19] The IAF plans to procure at least 324 aircraft or 18 squadrons of Tejas in all variants, including the heavier Tejas Mark 2 which is currently being developed.[20]
As of 2022,[update] the indigenous content in the Tejas Mark 1 is 59.7% by value and 75.5% by the number of line replaceable units.[21] The indigenous content of the Tejas Mk 1A is expected to surpass 70% in the next four years.[22]