The road map for the development of the LCA TEJAS MK1A aircraft, radically from it
1- Radar upgrade
The development of the UTTAM AESA radar, as India decided to integrate a radar version equipped with 912 modules instead of 736
The HAL Tejas Mk2 radar has been integrated into the LCA Tejas Mk1A version
It works to increase the radar detection and tracking range by 20% over the first version
That is, about 200 km
It is worth noting that the UTTAM MK2 AESA radar can be equipped with the MiG-29 and the MIRAGE-2000 aircraft for their development.
This development is due to the entry of the private sector into the Indian military industry, which has accelerated the development of guided weapons and major Indian weapon components
The package of munitions that will be integrated and the timing of their integration into the LCA TEJAS MK1A aircraft
2 - Tejas Mk1A weapons suite to be expanded.
Astra Mk1 will be cleared this year as integration ,
And the result of the development of the Astra mk1 missile is to increase the range to 130 km after developing its new radar. The aircraft will also be equipped with a launcher lca twin launcher astra mk1 To increase the load of missiles on the same eight arming points
captive trials will move to firing trials by mid of this year and ASRAAM trials should commence this year too but Tejas is already integrated with Israeli Python-5 so operational readiness will not be effected if their is delays in clearing ASRAAM for Mk1A fleet.
MBDA and HAL are in discussions with the IAF to possibly clear the Anglo-French low-observable, long-range, air-launched Scalp cruise missile for integration into Tejas Mk1A aircraft. With the possibility of scalp cruise missile being locally developed under licensing, chances are high that 1.3-ton might be cleared for no 3 and no 5 hardpoint after verifiable simulation results.
Rudram 1 and 2 air-to-ground missiles will be added to the arsenal in the near future, and the new BrahMos-NG will be added after 2025. The
Tejas Mk1A will be the first fighter jet in the IAF fleet to have a dual pylon rack for increased BVRAAM carrying capacity.
and additional lightweight cruise missile for LCA
Guided bombs with a longer range
The rapid development of the LCA MK1A aircraft is due to India's desire to export it and to show its full superiority over the FA-50 now and in the future.