Tejas Mark II

Shashank Raj Gupta
Tejas Mark II

Question: Recently Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Chairman R Madhavan announced that the more advanced version of India’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas will be launched in 2022. What will be the name of this new version?
a) Tejas B-2
b) Tejas Mark II
c) Tejas-Mk II
d) Tejas- Mark-IA
Answer: (b)
Related Facts:

  • Recently Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Chairman R Madhavan announced that the Tejas Mark II, the more advanced version of India’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, will be launched in 2022.
  • In a statement Mr Madhavan declared that HAL is going to prepare more potent version of the indigenous Tejas multirole combat jet named as Tejas Mark II.
  • This new version will be featuring a much powerful engine, greater load carrying capability, next-generation electronic warfare system.
  • He said that Tejas Mark II will have an array of superior avionics is expected to be rolled out next year and its first high-speed trials will start in 2023.
  • He said the structural package and other work on the Tejas Mark II is progressing well and its production is likely to start somewhere around 2025.
  • The upgraded version of Tejas will have a bigger fuselage, longer range, better maintainability.
  • Tejas mark II will also have greater load carrying capability, much stronger engine power and superior net-centric warfare systems.
  • Madhavan said the new variant will, with increase in range and payload capability, be much superior to Tejas Mark-IA.
  • It should known that big number of Tejas Mark-IA are already being procured by the Indian Air Force from the HAL under a Rs 48,000 crore deal that was approved by the government on January 13.
  • Tejas Mark II is likely to roll out by August-September of 2022 after that the first flight will take some time.
  • Madhavan told PTI that the first high-speed trial of the jet will start in 2023 and we expect the production to start somewhere around 2025.
  • Madhavan said that the weapon package for Tejas Mark II will be decided at a later stage depending on requirement and changing dynamics.
  • Tejas is a single engine and highly agile multi-role supersonic fighter manufactured by the state-run HAL.
  • The aircraft is a potent platform for air combat and offensive air support with reconnaissance and anti-ship operations as its secondary roles.
  • The Tejas Mk-1A will be equipped with active electronically scanned array radar, beyond visual range missile, electronic warfare suite and air-to-air refueling system.
  • Mr Madhavan also informed on this occasion that India is working on the fifth-generation medium weight deep penetration fighter jet and the project is estimated to cost around USD 5 billion.
  • The prototype of this fifth-generation fighter aircraft is likely to be ready by 2026 and its production could start by 2030.
  • He added that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was working on the timelines for the project.
  • It is still in the initial design stage. We are trying to get into a SPV route where HAL and DRDO will be partners and we will try to bring in some private players, at least two.
  • We want them (private players) to have a slight majority (stakes) so that it does not become a government entity,” he said.
  • Madhavan said that Tejas Mark 1A jet has superior performance levels compared to China’s JF-17 combat aircraft.
  • Tejas Mark 1A has better engine, radar system, and electronic warfare suit besides having edge on the overall technology.

By – Rajesh Tripathi

Links:-
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/tejas-mark-ii-to-roll-out-next-year-high-speed-trials-in-2023-hal-chief-madhavan-121013100319_1.html
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tejas-mark-ii-to-roll-out-next-year-high-speed-trials-in-2023-hal-chief-madhavan/article33708634.ece