The Tejas Mk 1A enters service in 2026. Capabilities, industrial challenges, and expectations for the Indian Air Force.
Summary
On January 2, 2026, the Ministry of Defense of India confirmed that the first squadron of Tejas Mk 1A aircraft will reach full operational capacity by March 2026. Five to six aircraft are already undergoing final acceptance testing. This milestone marks a turning point for the Indian Air Force, which has been waiting for more than a decade for a modern, locally produced light combat aircraft capable of gradually replacing the MiG-21s still in service. The Mk 1A is not a simple adjustment to the initial Tejas. It incorporates AESA radar, extensively revised avionics, improved availability, and streamlined maintenance. Beyond pure performance, the aircraft embodies a strategic ambition: to reduce dependence on imports and build a credible aerospace industrial base. Expectations are high, both operationally and politically and industrially.
The entry-into-service schedule finally clarified
After several postponements, the official announcement of January 2026 brings rare visibility to a program often criticized for its delays. The first Tejas Mk 1A aircraft are now in the final acceptance testing phase, the last step before their operational transfer to the Indian Air Force.
According to Indian authorities, 5 to 6 aircraft are currently involved. This may seem modest, but this volume corresponds to the initial ramp-up of a squadron, generally composed of around 18 fighter aircraft. Full operational capability, announced for March 2026, involves not only the delivery of the aircraft, but also the qualification of pilots and mechanics, and the validation of logistics chains.
This timeline is strategic. It comes at a time when India is facing increasing pressure on two fronts, with China to the north and Pakistan to the west. The rapid availability of an additional fighter aircraft, even a light one, is a factor in stabilizing capabilities.
The Tejas Mk 1A in Indian Air Force doctrine
The Indian Air Force is not looking for a heavy air superiority fighter with the Tejas Mk 1A. Its role is more pragmatic. It is a light multi-role combat aircraft, designed for local air defense, air policing, light attack, and advanced training missions.
With a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 13.5 tons (13,500 kg), the Tejas is well below the Su-30MKI or Rafale. On the other hand, its operating cost is significantly lower. Indian estimates put the hourly cost at between $7,000 and $9,000, compared to more than $16,000 for heavy fighters.
In a context where the total number of squadrons has fallen below 32 units, while the official target is 42, the Mk 1A is a high-volume tool. It allows a credible air presence to be maintained without exhausting budgets or front-line fleets.
Major technical developments in the Mk 1A standard
The transition from the Tejas Mk 1 to the Mk 1A is not a marketing ploy. Several structural improvements explain the anticipation surrounding this standard.
The most visible is the integration of an AESA radar. The first series use the Israeli ELM-2052 radar, pending the ramp-up of the indigenous Uttam radar developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization. This type of radar improves detection range, jamming resistance, and the ability to simultaneously track air and ground targets.
The avionics have been streamlined. The Mk 1A features an integrated electronic warfare suite, a modernized cockpit with improved multifunction displays, and a more open software architecture. This facilitates the future integration of new weapons or sensors.
Structurally, efforts have been made to improve operational availability, a weak point of the initial Tejas. The reduction in the number of replaceable parts and improved accessibility of systems should enable an availability rate of over 70%, compared to around 55 to 60% on the first aircraft.
A key industrial challenge for India’s strategic autonomy
The Tejas Mk 1A goes far beyond the military sphere. It is at the heart of the “Make in India” policy. The aircraft is assembled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, with a claimed local content of over 60% in value.
This figure remains controversial, particularly due to the American-made F404 engine and several critical imported subsystems. Nevertheless, the momentum is real. More than 400 Indian companies, the majority of which are SMEs, are now involved in the production chain.
The main contract covers 83 Mk 1A aircraft, with an estimated value of around €6.5 billion (US$7.2 billion). Ultimately, the Indian Air Force could order more than 120 units, depending on performance and delivery times.
For New Delhi, the success of the Mk 1A will determine the credibility of subsequent programs, notably the Tejas Mk 2 and the AMCA, India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Operational expectations vis-à-vis regional neighbors
From a strictly military standpoint, the Tejas Mk 1A is not intended to compete directly with heavy Chinese fighters such as the J-20. However, it is well suited to counter Pakistan’s fleets of JF-17s and F-16s in regional air defense scenarios.
Its ability to carry modern air-to-air missiles, combined with AESA radar, allows it to deal with medium-range threats. On air-to-ground missions, it can carry up to 4 tons of weapons, including precision-guided bombs and light air-to-ground missiles.
The Indian Air Force’s main expectation remains reliability. The aircraft must be available, interoperable with existing systems, and capable of keeping up with the operational pace at bases that are sometimes remote and exposed.
The program’s limitations and areas of concern
Despite official optimism, the Tejas Mk 1A is not without its weaknesses. The F404 engine, although reliable, limits performance in terms of load and altitude compared to some competitors. The more powerful Mk 2 version is still several years away from production.
Industrial production rate is another critical issue. HAL has long been criticized for its slowness. Reaching a rate of 16 to 24 aircraft per year will be essential to meet the needs of the Indian Air Force without creating new bottlenecks.
Finally, the continuing dependence on foreign suppliers for key components raises the question of resilience in the event of a diplomatic crisis or sanctions, a sensitive issue for New Delhi.
A decisive step, but not the end goal
The entry into service of the Tejas Mk 1A in 2026 is neither an end goal nor a mere formality. It represents a full-scale test of India’s ability to design, produce, and maintain a modern fighter aircraft in series production.
If the Mk 1A delivers on its promises in terms of availability and cost, it will strengthen the Indian Air Force in the long term and lend credibility to the national aerospace industry. On the other hand, a new series of delays or technical problems would weigh heavily on confidence in future indigenous programs.
The Tejas Mk 1A is therefore not just an aircraft. It is a strategic marker. Its success or failure will have repercussions far beyond the first squadron expected in March 2026.
Sources
- Ministry of Defense of India – official press release dated January 2, 2026
- Indian Air Force – operational statements on the Tejas
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited – industrial data and contracts
- Defense Research and Development Organization – radar and avionics programs
- Indian parliamentary reports on combat aviation modernization
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