Fighter Jets
Overview
The HAL Tejas is a light multirole fighter developed in India. Entering service in the 2010s, it represents a major domestic aerospace effort. The aircraft replaces older fighters in Indian Air Force service.
Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 1 × General Electric F404-GE-IN20
- Engine type
- Turbofan
- Thrust
- 20,200 lbf · 90 kN
- Avionics
- NVG & HUD by CSIO and SSDU & ADC by Bharat Electronics Limited
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 1
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 43 ft 4 in · 13.20 m
- Tail height
- 14 ft 5 in · 4.40 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 3 ft 3 in · 1.00 m
- Wing span
- 26 ft 11 in · 8.20 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 29,800 lb · 13,500 kg
- Max landing weight
- —
- Max payload
- 11,700 lb · 5,300 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 1,620 gal · 6,100 L · 4,900 kg (Jet A)
- Max cruise speed
- 1,066 kt · 1,227 mph · 1,974 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- —
- Range
- 1,726 nm · 1,990 mi · 3,200 km
- Fuel burn
- —
- Ceiling
- 50,000 ft · 15,200 m
- Rate of climb
- —
- Takeoff distance
- —
- Landing distance
- —
Gallery
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Operational Context
HAL Tejas — lightweight multirole fighter
The Tejas first flew in 2001 and entered service in 2016. It features a delta wing design and advanced composite construction. The aircraft incorporates modern avionics and fly-by-wire flight controls.
Powered by a General Electric F404 turbofan engine producing approximately 19,000 pounds of thrust (84.5 kN) with afterburner, the Tejas exceeds Mach 1.6. Maximum takeoff weight exceeds 29,000 pounds (13,154 kg). The aircraft carries air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons on multiple hardpoints.
The Tejas represents a significant milestone for India’s aerospace industry. Ongoing upgrades aim to enhance radar and weapons capability. The aircraft continues to expand its role within the Indian Air Force.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.