In February 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹48,000 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets. The ministry is now processing an additional deal to acquire 97 more aircraft at a cost of around ₹67,000 crore. According to Sunil, the Mk-1A will replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing MiG-21 fighters and is a key component of India’s effort to achieve greater self-reliance in defence production.
How Tejas compares to other fighter jets
As India accelerates its defence modernisation efforts with the Tejas Mk-1A, comparisons with similar light multirole fighter jets around the world have gained attention. These aircraft, typically single-engine and versatile in role, are valued for their cost-efficiency, agility, and suitability for both air defence and ground attack missions. The table below compares the Tejas Mk-1A with its global peers across key technical and operational parameters.
| Specification | Tejas Mk1A | Dassault Rafale | F‑16 Block 70 | JF‑17 Block III | FA‑50 Golden Eagle |
| Country | India | France | USA | Pakistan / China | South Korea |
| Manufacturer | HAL / ADA | Dassault Aviation | Lockheed Martin | PAC / Chengdu | KAI / Lockheed Martin |
| Number Built | 51 | ~240 | ~3,100 | 177 | ~220 |
| Orders | 180 (83 + 97 cleared) | 234 (including India) | 112 | 50–60 export orders | 48 (Poland), 18 (Malaysia) |
| Length | 43.3 ft | 50.2 ft | 49.3 ft | 47.0 ft | 43.0 ft |
| Wingspan | 26.9 ft | 35.8 ft | 31.0 ft | 31.0 ft | 31.0 ft |
| Height | 14.4 ft | 17.5 ft | 16.7 ft | 15.0 ft | 16.2 ft |
| Empty Weight | 6,560 kg | 10,300 kg | 9,207 kg | 7,965 kg | 7,200 kg |
| Max Payload | 5,300 kg | 9,500 kg | ~7,700 kg | 3,700 kg | ~4,300 kg |
| MTOW | ~13,500 kg | 24,500 kg | 21,772 kg | 13,500 kg | 12,300 kg |
| Engine | 1 × GE F404-IN20 | 2 × Snecma M88-2 | 1 × GE F110-GE-129 | 1 × Klimov RD-93MA | 1 × GE F404 or EJ200 |
| Max Thrust | 84 kN | 150 kN (combined) | 129 kN | 84.4 kN | ~98 kN |
| Fuel Capacity | 3060L internal | 4,700 L internal | 7,000 L | ~3,000 L | 2,990 L |
| Ferry Range | ~3,000 km | 3,700 km | 4,220 km | 3,482 km | ~1,852 km |
| Max Speed | 2,200 km/h (Mach 1.8) | 1,912 km/h (Mach 1.8) | 2,414 km/h (Mach 2.0+) | 1,975–2,200 km/h (Mach 1.6–1.8) | 1,837 km/h (Mach 1.5) |
| Service Ceiling | ~15,000 m | 15,240 m | 18,300 m | ~16,700 m | 14,630 m |
| Unit Cost | US $39–42 M | US $90–100 M (estimated) | US $50–60 M | ~US $25 M | US $30 M |
Dassault Rafale
The Dassault Rafale, produced by France’s Dassault Aviation, is a twin-engine 4.5-generation fighter known for its versatility, nuclear capability, and use by several NATO and allied air forces. The Indian Airforce operates 36 of these jets and the Indian navy has also ordered 26 of its maritime variant.
F-16
The F-16 Block 70 is the latest and most advanced variant of the widely exported American single-engine fighter, offering improved radar, avionics, and combat range.JF-17
The JF-17 Block III, a product of collaboration between Pakistan and China, is a cost-effective, single-engine multirole fighter aimed at meeting the operational needs of developing air forces.
FA-50
The FA-50 Golden Eagle, jointly developed by South Korea’s KAI and Lockheed Martin, is a lightweight supersonic fighter and trainer aircraft tailored for air policing, light attack, and lead-in fighter training missions.
HAL Tejas vs Pak F-16
One of the key comparisons being drawn around the Tejas Mk-1A is with the US-made F-16, which continues to form the backbone of Pakistan’s fighter fleet. While the F-16 remains a capable platform, many of the aircraft in Pakistan’s inventory date back to the 1980s. In contrast, the Tejas Mk-1A features modern avionics, advanced electronic warfare systems, and an indigenously developed AESA radar, which enhances its tracking and targeting performance.
IAF squadrons numbers
IAF is looking at inducting different types of fighter jets as the number of its fighter squadrons has gone down to 31 from officially sanctioned strength of 42.
The government recently gave the clearance to HAL to start work on India’s fifth generation aircraft called Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The air force is expected to by 120 AMCA aircrafts and 324 Tejas aircrafts over the coming years.
GE F404 engine delay
HAL CMD D K Sunil attributed the delay in Tejas Mk-1A production to the inability of GE Aerospace to supply F404 jet engines on schedule. “The engine deliveries have not happened from GE Aerospace. They were to deliver the engines in 2023. Till date, we have got only one engine,” he said.
Sunil explained that the delay was initially caused by production setbacks during the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by the departure of several senior engineers from GE, which led to cascading supply chain disruptions. However, he confirmed that the technical and logistical issues have now been resolved, and HAL expects to receive 12 engines by March 2026.
(With inputs from PTI)
