Tejas – Light Combat Aircraft – UPSC Prelims

Made in India

Single-seat

Single-jet engine,

Multi-role light fighter

It has been pegged as world’s smallest and lightest supersonic fighter

LCA Tejas is not the first indigenous fighter to be inducted into the IAF. In April 1967, IAF had formed the first operational squadron with the indigenous HF-24 Marut fighter

Designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Made under Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India’s ageing MiG-21 fighters.

It is equipped with satellite-aided Inertial Navigation System.

It has digital computer-based attack system and autopilot mode.

It has limited reach of a little over 400-km.

It will be mainly used for close air-to-ground operations.