Tejas Mk1A

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive its first Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk 1A in the last week of October. This is not just a technological achievement but a historic milestone in India's indigenous defence production and self-reliance.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will witness the first flight of the Tejas Mk 1A on October 17 at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Nashik.

Features of Tejas Mk1A

• The advanced version of the aircraft, MK-1A, has features like advanced mission computer, high performance digital flight control computer (DFCC MK-1A), smart multi-function display (SMFD), advanced electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, advanced self-protection jammer, electronic warfare suite etc.
• This fighter jet is similar to Tejas MK-1 but some things have been changed in it. It is equipped with state-of-the-art electronic warfare suite, advanced AESA radar, self-protection jammer, radar warning receiver. Apart from this, ECM pod can also be installed externally in it.

A big step towards indigenous manufacturing

• HAL has been awarded a contract to manufacture 83 Tejas Mk1A jets for the Indian Air Force. Deliveries were originally scheduled to begin in February 2024 but were pushed back due to engine supply delays from General Electric (GE Aerospace).
•  Currently, only one to two engines are being delivered per month, so HAL now aims to complete delivery of all aircraft within the next four years. Negotiations for an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft are in the final stages. This agreement between the Ministry of Defense and GE Aerospace could prove pivotal to India's long-term air power strategy.

Boost to defence production

• India's defence production reached ₹1.3 lakh crore in 2023-24, a growth of 17% over the previous year. This is the second consecutive year that production has exceeded ₹1 lakh crore.
• Production had declined by 2.5% in FY2020 before the pandemic but has been witnessing double-digit growth since 2022. Government data till December 2024 shows that production has reached ₹90,000 crore and a target of ₹1.6 lakh crore has been set for FY25.

New acquisitions and the 'Make in India' Rafale plan

• The Air Force's proposal to purchase 114 Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRFA) is also progressing rapidly. The Ministry of Defense is currently considering a plan to purchase "Made in India" Rafale jets.
• According to French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, there are currently 533 Rafale aircraft on order globally, of which 233 are in production. The company has now increased production speed to four aircraft per month.

AMCA: India's fifth generation leap

• In parallel with the Tejas Mk1A, India has also approved the development of its first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
• The government has approved over ₹15,000 crore for this ambitious project. The AMCA is expected to fly within this decade and join the Air Force by 2035.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a major Indian public sector enterprise engaged in the manufacture of aircraft, helicopters, aerospace, and defence products.
• It operates under the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India and manufactures a variety of aircraft and equipment for the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and Indian Navy.