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IAF Celebrates 25 Years of Tejas LCA: From Historic First Flight to Mk1A

The Indian Air Force commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft's first flight, which occurred on January 4, 2001. The programme, initiated in 1983, has led to the aircraft's induction and a recent major order for 97 additional Mk-1A variants. Recent milestones include the successful test-firing of the indigenous ASTRA missile from the LCA and high-altitude trials of an advanced onboard oxygen system. The anniversary highlights the enduring partnership between the IAF, HAL, ADA, and DRDO in advancing India's defence self-reliance.

Key Points: IAF Marks 25th Anniversary of Tejas LCA First Flight

  • Commemorates 25th anniversary of first flight
  • Major order for 97 Mk-1A fighters secured
  • ASTRA missile successfully test-fired from LCA
  • Indigenous life support system undergoes high-altitude trials
  • Programme launched in 1983 to replace ageing fleet
3 min read

IAF commemorates 25th anniversary of Tejas LCA's first flight

Indian Air Force commemorates 25 years of the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, highlighting milestones, new orders, and advanced system tests.

IAF commemorates 25th anniversary of Tejas LCA's first flight
"Sky is the limit! - Indian Air Force"

New Delhi, Jan 4

The Indian Air Force on Sunday commemorated the 25th anniversary of home grown Tejas Light Combat Aircraft's historic first flight.

"On the 25th anniversary of Tejas LCA's historic first flight, #IAF reflects on enduring partnership in building this fighter. Congratulations to ADA's innovative scientists, HAL's skilled engineers, brave IAF & IN test pilots/engineers, and all IAF personnel who've championed self-reliance. Sky is the limit!" said the IAF in a post on social media.

The historic first flight of Tejas occurred on January 4, 2001, with Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal piloting the Technology Demonstrator (TD-1) from Bengaluru's HAL Airport.

This flight initiated the flight testing phase for the aircraft, eventually leading to its induction into the Indian Air Force and the development of advanced variants like the Tejas Mk1A.

The government had established the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme in 1983 with the initial goal of developing a new light combat aircraft to replace the ageing fleet of the IAF.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently secured a major order for 97 additional LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighters in a deal worth over Rs 62,370 crore, finalised in late 2025, adding to existing orders for 83 jets.

In May 2025, the first centre fuselage assembly for Tejas Mk1A was handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by VEM Technologies in Hyderabad.

The handover took place in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of HAL, Dr D. K. Sunil. This event marked for the first time a major sub-assembly for the LCA Tejas being manufactured by a private Indian company.

Earlier in March 2025, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) successfully conducted test-launch of homegrown ASTRA, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from LCA AF MK1 prototype fighter aircraft. The test launch was carried out on March 12, 2025 off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha.

The test-firing successfully demonstrated the direct hit of the missile on flying target. All the subsystems performed accurately meeting all mission parameters and objectives. ASTRA missile is designed and developed by DRDO capable of engaging the targets over 100km and equipped with advanced guidance and navigation capabilities allowing missile to destroy targets with greater accuracy. The missile is already inducted into the Indian Air Force.

In the same month, the Defence Bio-Engineering & Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL), a Bengaluru-based lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), successfully conducted high-altitude trials of the Indigenous On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)-based Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) for the LCA Tejas aircraft.

The OBOGS-based ILSS is a cutting-edge system designed to generate and regulate breathable oxygen for pilots during flight, eliminating dependence on traditional liquid oxygen cylinder-based systems.

The ILSS underwent rigorous testing on the LCA-Prototype Vehicle-3 aircraft of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)/Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), meeting stringent aeromedical standards in varied flight conditions, including altitudes of up to 50,000 feet Above Mean Sea Level and high-G manoeuvres.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's impressive to see the progress, especially the involvement of private companies like VEM Technologies. This public-private partnership model is crucial for scaling up defense manufacturing. The order for 97 more jets is a huge vote of confidence.
V
Vikram M
While we celebrate, we must also acknowledge the delays. The program started in 1983, and full-scale induction took decades. We need to learn from this to speed up future projects like the AMCA. That said, congratulations to everyone involved! The Tejas is now a capable bird.
P
Priya S
The development of systems like the indigenous OBOGS is what true self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) looks like. No more depending on foreign suppliers for critical life-support. Hats off to the DRDO and HAL teams! Our pilots deserve the best, homegrown technology.
R
Rohit P
Astra missile integration is a game-changer. A desi fighter jet with a desi BVR missile that can hit targets 100km away? That's a formidable combination. It significantly boosts our air defense capability. More power to the IAF!
M
Michael C
As an observer of global defense, India's journey with the Tejas is a fascinating case study in developing complex aerospace technology. The milestones achieved—from the airframe to the missile and oxygen systems—show a maturing defense industrial base. Kudos.

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