As the indigenously designed and manufactured Tejas light combat aircraft(LCA)completes seven years of service in the Indian Air Force
The LCA, christened Tejas in 2003, is a multi-role platform that ranks among the best in its class.
Tejas was made by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), and it was made to defend the air, look for threats at sea, and attack.
No. 45 Squadron, also known as the "Flying Daggers," was the first squadron in the IAF to use the Tejas.
The plane is easy to handle and has better maneuverability. Its multi-mode airborne radar, helmet-mounted monitor, self-protection suite, and laser designation pod all add to this ability.
The general amount of Indian-made parts in the Tejas LCA Mark 1A will go up by a lot. The planes will start going to their contracted owners in February 2024.
The IAF's recent order for 83 Mark-1A fighters shows how confident it is in the Tejas. These will have updated electronics, an active electronically steerable radar, an updated electronic warfare suite, and the ability to fire missiles beyond what can be seen.
The IAF has taken the aircraft to different international events to show off India's own aerospace skills.
In the years to come, the LCA and any new versions of it will be a key part of the IAF.