India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Offers a Compact, Cutting-Edge Choice in the Global Fighter Market
Bengaluru, India – A new generation of fighter jet is emerging from India, challenging conventional notions of size and capability. The HAL Tejas, a lightweight multirole combat aircraft, boasts modern weaponry and avionics despite its substantially smaller frame compared to dominant platforms like the F-35. At just over 43 feet long with a 27-foot wingspan, and a height of 14 feet 4.3 inches, the Tejas weighs in at 29,762 lbs – less than half the weight of the F-35.
The development and potential export of the Tejas represent a pivotal moment for India’s defense industry, reducing reliance on foreign-made fighters and opening new avenues for international arms sales. The aircraft is designed to be comparable to other 4.5-generation fighters, including the American F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen, and the Russian Sukhoi Su-35. this positions the Tejas as a potentially attractive option for nations seeking a capable, cost-effective fighter solution.
First entering service in April 2007, the Tejas Mk 1 is powered by a GE Aerospace F404-GE-IN20 turbofan engine, capable of producing up to 19,000 lbs of thrust and moving 153 cubic feet of air per second. Despite its smaller size, the Tejas Mk 1-A is equipped with eight weapons stations and a payload capacity of nearly 11,700 lbs, carrying a diverse arsenal of weaponry including twin machine guns, anti-ship and air-to-ground missiles, rockets, and bombs.
HAL is currently developing the Tejas Mk 2, a Medium Weight Fighter (MWF) intended to replace India’s older fighter fleet. The original Tejas is expected to remain the smallest and lightest fighter in its class,reflecting the meaning of its name - a word that,across India’s many languages,signifies concepts like “radiance,” “self-sufficiency,” and “fire.” While a previous potential deal with Argentina fell through, India continues to pursue international sales opportunities for the Tejas, aiming to establish itself as a notable player in the global aerospace market.
