Tejas Mk-1A, the indigenous fighter aircraft manufactured by government aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), successfully completed its maiden flight from the HAL plant in Nashik on Friday. This flight is being considered as another big step towards self-reliance in India’s defense sector.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director D.K. Sunil said that Tejas Mark-1A is a state-of-the-art fighter aircraft completely based on indigenous technology. He said that considering the technical capability and performance of this aircraft, many foreign countries have shown keen interest in purchasing it.

What did the Chairman of HAL say?

D.K. According to Sunil, “Today we have an aircraft which is capable from every aspect. It is equipped with state-of-the-art radar system, strong weapon capability and modern avionics. It is not only a state-of-the-art fighter jet but its maintenance and upgrade can also be done in India because HAL has complete control over both its software and hardware.” Is.”

Comparing Tejas Mark-1A with the old MiG-21 Bison, the HAL chief said that this aircraft is a generation leap in India’s defense technology.

#WATCH Nashik, Maharashtra | On the difference between Tejas LCA Mark 1A and MiG 21 Bison, HAL Chairman & Managing Director Dr DK Sunil says, “… It’s quite a jump in technology. In terms of the kind of electronics, avionics that the Tejas has, it is a four and a half… pic.twitter.com/BGpBenfMSL

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2025

He said, “Tejas Mark-1A is approximately a four-and-a-half generation (4.5 generation) aircraft. It includes state-of-the-art AESA radar, electronic warfare (EW) suite and advanced missile systems. The MiG-21 was very capable in its time, but Tejas is much more advanced and multifunctional as per the needs of the modern era.”

Many countries showed interest in Tejas

D.K. Sunil further said that many countries have shown initial interest in Tejas. He said, “We are currently in talks with various countries. The kind of response we have received in the initial phase itself is very encouraging. Foreign buyers are seeing it as a highly capable and reliable aircraft. We are also showing them what new capabilities India can add to this aircraft.”

According to the HAL chief, the company has been entrusted with the production of a total of 180 Tejas Mark-1A aircraft. A target has been set to complete this production work by 2032-33. After this, HAL is planning to start production of LCA Mark-2 (Tejas Mk-2).

He said, “We expect the production of Tejas Mark-1A to be completed by 2032-33 and at the same time construction of LCA Mark-2, which will be an even more advanced and powerful version, will begin.”

Features of Tejas Mark-1A

Tejas Mark-1A is an indigenous and advanced designed light combat aircraft. It is an advanced version of the LCA developed in India and is considered a fourth generation multi-role fighter. Fast, manoeuvrable and highly accurate, this aircraft is capable of operations day and night and in all weather conditions.

It can carry more than 5.5 tonnes of armed payload and can accurately strike multiple targets at the same time. Tejas Mark-1A has state-of-the-art capabilities like new AESA radar, beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite and air-to-air refueling. It is being manufactured in the country itself. In such a situation, changes can be made as per the need only while staying in the country.

Read this also-

Pakistan’s ‘No’ action, airstrike on Afghanistan just hours after ceasefire extension

Amca and tejas mk2 fighter jet: India is now working rapidly towards making its own fighter aircraft more powerful. Some countries of the world have already made fourth and fifth generation fighter jets. Among them, America’s F-35 has been the most discussed. Apart from this, Russia’s SU-57 and America’s F-21 are also very famous.

It was believed that India can also buy any of these jets, but now the news is coming that India is going to pay more attention to its indigenous fighter jets, not on these foreign aircraft.

Delivery of foreign jets is delayed

India had planned to buy 114 new fighter aircraft under the earlier Multirol Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) project. The scheme included foreign fighter jets like F-35, SU-57, F-21, Gripane, Rafael, Eurofighter Typhoon and F-15EX. But this scheme has been stuck for many years and is getting delayed a lot. For this reason, India has decided that it will now make the aircraft made in its country better instead of depending on foreign jets and will give them priority.

The Indian Air Force has 31 fighter squadron while the need is 42.5 squadron. Old MiG-21 aircraft are slowly removed. Therefore, India is now going to pay more attention to its indigenous fighter jets to keep the Air Force strong.

AMCA and Tejas rested on MK2

The Government of India and the Ministry of Defense have given priority to make weapons and fighter aircraft in the country under the ‘self -reliant India’ and ‘Make in India’. Under this, India will now pay more attention to its two indigenous fighter jet projects-first is the 5th generation fighter jet Amca and the second is the 4th generation Tejas MK-2. The government is planning to increase the number of these two fighter aircraft, so that the Indian Air Force can strengthen and reduce dependence on other countries.

Learn about Amca Fighter Jet and Tejas MK2

• AMCA is India’s first indigenous 5th generation stealth fighter jet.
• DRDO and HAL are making it together.
• It has the ability to avoid jet radar, which will make it difficult for the enemy to find out.
• It will have supercruz technology, AI based systems and advanced weapons.
• It will be multirol jet i.e. Air to Air, Air to Ground and Monitoring Mission will be done simultaneously.
• Its first prototype is expected to come by 2026.

Tejas mk2

• Tejas MK2 is an upgraded version of the current Tejas fighter aircraft.
• It is a fourth generation Multirol fighter jet.
• It will have the ability to carry more powerful engines, better radars, and more weapons.
• It will replace old aircraft like MiG-29, Jaguar and Mirage 2000.
• The production of Tejas MK2 is likely to start after 2025.