Tejas Mk1A Takes Flight: India’s Indigenous Fighter Jet Soars Towards Self-Reliance

India’s indigenous fighter aircraft programme marked a significant milestone as the Tejas Mk1A took its maiden flight in Nashik on October 17, 2025. This advanced 4.5-generation multirole fighter jet represents a key step towards India's Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing, replacing aging fleets and enhancing tactical capabilities.

 

The Tejas Mk1A incorporates over 40 upgrades from its predecessor, featuring cutting-edge avionics such as the Israeli EL/M-2052 AESA radar alongside an indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar. It includes a unified electronic warfare suite (UEWS) by DARE providing enhanced radar-warning and jamming capabilities, and an advanced self-protection jammer pod for survivability. The flight control system is powered by the new quadruplex digital fly-by-wire computer ensuring better maneuverability and safety features like auto low-speed and disorientation recovery.

 

Armed with nine hardpoints, the aircraft can deploy an array of weapons – beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, short-range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAM), air-to-ground precision weapons, and internal 23mm autocannons. It is powered by the GE F404-IN20 engine, a high-thrust variant tailored for IAF requirements, enabling supersonic speeds around Mach 1.6.

 

HAL's Nashik facility recently inaugurated its third production line aiming to boost manufacturing output from 10 to 24 jets annually to fulfill Indian Air Force demands for at least two squadrons within four years. India is also investing heavily in domestic engine development and international partnerships to fuel next-generation jets such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

 

While the maiden flight is a crowning achievement, the journey to full indigenous capability faces technological, financial, and operational challenges ahead. However, the progress underscores India’s determination to build a robust, self-sufficient defense ecosystem aligning with national strategic priorities.

 

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Sources: Times of India, NDTV, Rediff, The Economic Times, Firstpost, HAL India official, Drishti IAS, Vajiram & Ravi analysis.