Why in the news?

  • The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved procurement of LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets.

LCA Tejas Fighter

  • History: The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme was started by the Government of India in 1984.
  • Aim: To replace the ageing Mig 21 fighter planes (known as flying coffins due to repeated crashes and death of pilots)
  • Designed by: Aeronautical Development Agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development.
  • Manufactured by: State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
  • Features
    • The lightest, smallest and tailless multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft.
    • Designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision-guided, weapons.
    • Air to air refueling capability.
    • Maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg.
    • It can attend the maximum speed of Mach 1.8.
    • The range of the aircraft is 3,000km

LCA Tejas Mk-1A Fighter

  • What is it?: An upgraded variant of India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
  • Developed by: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the Make in India initiative.
  • Upgradation
    • Advanced Avionics
      • Equipped with AESA radars: Israeli EL/M-2052 and indigenous Uttam AESA radar.
    • Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems
      • Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS).
      • Advanced Self-Protection Jammer Pod.
    • Flight Control
      • Improved Digital Fly-by-Wire System with DFCC Mk1A for enhanced maneuverability.
    • Weapons Capability
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      • Supports BVR missiles, ASRAAM, precision-guided munitions, and air-to-air/air-to-ground missiles.
    • Operational Efficiency
      • Reduced weight, improved maintainability.
      • Faster turnaround during missions.