India's drive to boost its domestic defense industry took a major step forward as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), a branch within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), delivered indigenously built components to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). These components are crucial for the next iteration of the TEJAS fighter jet, the MK-1A.
Building on Existing Success
The TEJAS MK-1A builds upon the foundation of the Indian Air Force's original TEJAS fighter jet, which entered service in 2016. As part of this $4.5 billion upgrade program, the DRDO is expanding its indigenous supply chain by sourcing components from within India's developing defense industry.Key Upgrade Components
The DRDO's recent handover to HAL includes cutting-edge actuators (devices that control movement) and an airbrake control module. These components are essential for the enhanced performance of the TEJAS MK-1A.About the TEJAS Fighter
The TEJAS is a single-seat, single-engine, lightweight, high-agility supersonic fighter aircraft. Its design features shoulder-mounted delta wings and advanced composite materials for both strength and maneuverability.Notably, a naval variant of the TEJAS successfully completed a flight test aboard the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, in 2020.
