24-05-2025
Bad news for Pakistan, China as India's Tejas MK1 fighter jet to become more powerful by..., it will be in...
Tejas MK1 Fighter Jet: The indigenous Tejas fighter jet has added significant strength to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The process to upgrade the Tejas Mk1 combat aircraft will soon commence, enabling it to compete with modern fighter jets.
Work on upgrading the Tejas Mk1 fighter jet will start in 2026. It will be upgraded in a phased manner. It should be noted that this is India's indigenous fighter jet, which will be made more powerful through upgrades. The upgrade programme is set to begin in 2026, as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has planned to develop the Tejas Mk1 fleet starting that year. A total of 40 Tejas Mk1 aircraft will be upgraded, comprising 32 single-seat fighters and 8 twin-seat trainers.
The upgrade process includes avionics, radar, electronic warfare systems, and weapon systems. For instance, the old ELM-2032 multimode radar may be replaced with the ELM-2052 AESA radar. Along with the upgrade, the Tejas Mk1 aircraft will also undergo an overhaul. This will ensure that these fighter jets remain relevant in modern warfare for a long time. What is an overhaul?
An overhaul means a comprehensive inspection of the machinery and systems of any fighter jet, followed by its repair. Damaged or defective parts of the jet are removed and new, latest parts are installed. Why is Tejas MK1 special?
Tejas MK1 is India's indigenous light fighter aircraft. It has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It is a 4.5 generation multi-role supersonic jet. It is capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The Tejas Mk1A is equipped with over 62% indigenous materials.
