In a recent incident, an Indian Air Force (IAF) LCA Tejas aircraft crashed near Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, with the pilot successfully ejecting to safety. This marks the first crash involving the jet since its inaugural flight 23 years ago.

Background of LCA Tejas

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is a domestically developed supersonic aircraft used by the Indian military. The programme was initiated by the Government of India in 1984, leading to the establishment of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas succeeded the ageing Mig 21 fighter jets.Named ‘Tejas,’ which translates to ‘radiance’ in Sanskrit, by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003, the aircraft is the second supersonic fighter jet developed by HAL after the HAL HF-24 Marut. It is the lightest and smallest multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft in its category, designed to accommodate various types of weaponry.

The Crash
The indigenous fighter jet Tejas crashed today in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer near a hostel complex. This is the first-ever crash of the indigenous fighter in 23 years of its history which began with the first test flight in 2001.

Facts About Tejas Fighter Jet

• Tejas is a single-seater fighter aircraft and a twin-seat trainer variant is also operated by the Air Force. The Indian Navy also operates the twin-seater variant.
• The first test flight of the Technology Demonstrator-1 (TD-1) took place in 2001 and the maiden flight of the Second Series Production (SP2) Tejas aircraft of Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration took place on March 22, 2016.
• Light Combat Aircraft Tejas is a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter aircraft and is designed to take offensive air support and provide close combat support for ground operations.
• Tejas is the smallest and lightest aircraft in its class and the dimensions and the extensive use of composite structure make it lighter.
• In 2016, The first IAF Squadron to induct the Tejas was the No 45 Squadron, the ‘Flying Daggers’.
• The Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, recently gave its go-ahead for the procurement of 97 more Tejas MK-1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.

Future Plans
The Indian Air Force plans to replace the ageing MiG-21 aircraft with the LCA Tejas Mark 1A aircraft by 2025. The LCA program was envisioned in the late 1980s to replace the MiG-21s that have been serving the Air Force since 1963. The LCA was rechristened as ‘Tejas’ in 2003.