Recent Highlights

Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) is currently working on drone-delivered short-range missiles which will have a range of 1 km to 1.5 km, designed for targets such as vehicles or a gathering of an enemy force or hostile entity. In May 2022, MoD signed a contract with BDL for supply of ASTRA MK-I Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air to Air Missile (AAM) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy at a cost of INR 2,971 crore under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. In February 2022, BDL and the Indian Army signed a contract worth INR 3,131.82 crore for the manufacture and supply of Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles. The contract will be executed in three years13. HAL has successfully integrated and tested AASM Hammer from Tejas. The air-to-surface munition (AASM) Hammer is a precision-guided munition developed by Safran Electronics and Defence. IAF had ordered the Hammer for HAL Tejas in 2021.

Indian Army has placed orders for six units of Swathi Mark II Weapon Locating Radar with BEL at an approx. cost of INR 400 crores. Mark II is high altitude optimized variant of the Swathi Weapon Locating Radar that has been cleared after going through a fresh round of trials in the mountain terrain. Swathi Mark II Weapon Locating Radar has been developed by LRDE that is mounted on a BEML-manufactured 6×6 truck, instead of the baseline Swathi that is mounted on an 8×8 heavy-duty truck for easier operations in the mountain terrain. Mark II also has some performance improvements over its predecessor which likely will translate into more orders in near future coming from the Army for the new variant.

Indian Army has inducted Igla-S systems recently bought from Russia under emergency procurement. The contract was signed in December 2020 and the equipment was delivered by December 2021. This includes 24 launchers, 216 missiles and testing equipment. Indian Army and IAF also began to induct advanced Spike anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) with longer range and greater armour penetration capabilities. They were ordered under emergency procurements last year. The Israeli family of Spike ATGMs is equally lethal and versatile. The Army is inducting the Spike LR-2 launchers and missiles, which have a ground strike range of 5.5-km, while the IAF is integrating its Russian-origin Mi-17 V5 armed helicopters with Spike NLOS (non-line of sight) missiles that can destroy ground targets around 30-km away.

TASL and L&T have jointly delivered the 100th Akash Air Force Launcher (AAFL) for IAF. AAFL is a multi-technology Weapon Launch Platform for AD Missiles, jointly developed under the IGMDP Program of DRDO by TASL and L&T and produced collaboratively. It comprises a self-powered and fully automated Electro- Mechanical Launching System mounted on a trailer and towed by a prime-mover and is a fully ruggedized all-weather day and night system capable of operating in harsh environmental and terrain conditions.

Adani Defence is setting up South Asia’s largest integrated ammunition complex (spread over 250+ acres and an investment of around INR 1,500 crore) in the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor. The ammunition complex will have state-of-the-art technology across small and medium calibre ammunition, along with short-range air defence missiles.

Under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Indian industry is living up to the expectations of Make in India, Make for the world. The newly formed DPSUs are not just catering to the domestic needs but also exporting. For example, Advance Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) got its first export order from a European firm for major sub-assemblies of artillery guns. The sub-assemblies are worth INR 6 crore, and the deliveries are expected to be completed this year HAL signed an MoU with Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC) in April that may lead to the export of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH).

The first launch of the Extended Range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30MKI aircraft was conducted in May 2022. With this, the IAF achieved the capability to carry out precision strikes from Su-30MKI aircraft against a land/ sea target over very long ranges.

Recently, DRDO and Indian Navy successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile launched from a Naval Helicopter. The start-up – Gurutvaa has delivered Dronaam CUAS to the IAF earlier in May under a contract signed in August 2021. Gurutvaa will be fulfilling the remaining part of the order in the next 4-5 months. The system underwent design review in October 2021 and the first prototype trials were conducted in December 2021. A second trial of a production standard system, which incorporated suggestions from the first trial, was conducted by IAF in February 2022. The Dronaam system is developed completely indigenously and has proved effective at disrupting the GNSS (global navigation satellite system) navigation and jamming radio frequencies of UAVs.

Key air defence and missile technologies/products developed under this cluster include ASAT, Naval anti-ship missile, Pranash surface-to surface missile, Prahaar missile, Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile, Nag missile, Prithvi missile, Agni missile, Beyond visual range air-to-air missile, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System (QRSAM), Akash missile.

BrahMos Aerospace, the joint venture (JV) between DRDO and NPO Mashniostroyenia (NPOM), Russia has developed and produced the fastest supersonic missile in the world. In January 2022, BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines for supply of Shore Based Anti- Ship Missile System to Philippines.

Rosoboronexport and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) have an agreement to work together for the development of Advanced Pyrotechnic Ignition Systems to meet futuristic requirements of high performance propulsion systems for rockets and missiles. This technology development will facilitate design and development of state-of-the-art solid rocket motors for upcoming products. These products will be based on compact and energy-efficient propulsion systems. Under the aeronautical systems cluster, DRDO developed Nirbhay, a long range sub-sonic Cruise Missile capable of deep penetration into adversary territory to strike high-value targets with precision. Currently, the missile is launched from a mobile articulated launcher. It is being adopted for launch from sea and air platforms.

Under the Development cum Production Partner (DCPP) program, DRDO has allowed the private sector to co-develop missile systems with it and then also produce them. Private sector firms have responded very enthusiastically for participation and bids have been received for the Vertically-launched Short-range Surface to Air Missile system (VL-SRSAM) project. The all-weather air defence missile system is being developed to provide point and area defence against various aerial targets like jets, fighter

aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The canister-based state of art weapon system would be able to identify, track, engage and destroy targets with a high kill probability. It has a strike range of about 40 km.

DRDO has developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard naval ships against missile attack. Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur has indigenously developed three variants of this critical technology — Short Range Chaff Rocket, Medium Range Chaff Rocket and Long Range Chaff Rocket — meeting Indian Navy’s qualitative requirements. Recently, the Navy conducted trials of all three variants in the Arabian Sea on Indian Naval Ship and found the performance satisfactory. The technology is being given to the industry for production in large quantities. DRDO has developed ‘Kautilya’, a spaceborne ELINT payload for satellite platform to intercept ground-based radars across the globe. The system provides high accuracy in direction finding and location fixing of radar transmissions. Two-dimensional Base Line Interferometric (BLI) array consisting of spiral and pyramidal horn antennas as radiating elements has been realized for Kautilya. The spiral BLI array working in the C-D band, has 7 elements mounted in orthogonal axes, one being common for vertical and horizontal BLI arrays for DF in two orthogonal directions, i.e., elevation and azimuth.

CASDIC, an R&D Centre set up under DRDO is carrying out feasibility studies for the integration of an EW suite on the Su-30 aircraft that is considered the first step toward the development of the Airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft. AEA platforms are capable of disrupting, deceiving, or denying a broad range of military electronic systems including radars and communications. Su-30 aircraft will retain all the multi-mission capabilities with its validated design and the capability to perform a wide range of enemy defence suppression missions. Su-30 Airborne Electronic Attack aircraft will be carrying tactical jamming pods, communication countermeasures set, EW receiver suite, satellite communications, and a high-performance SIGINT sensor system. DRDO has commenced work on the development of Nag Mk II ATGM to be integrated into MBTs in a twin launcher configuration with each launcher holding one missile. Nag Mk II is an improved lightweight ATGM with performance improvement and a minor range bump. It will also adopt some of the technologies from the Helina program (Helicopter borne ATGM) like the new jet vane control system (JVC) into it.

Ongoing Programmes and Opportunities

In June 2022, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Capital Acquisition Proposals of the Armed Forces amounting to INR 76,390 crore under ‘Buy (Indian)’, ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ and ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ categories. These include AoN for Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) and Weapon Locating Radars (WLRs) for the Indian Army amongst others.

In March 2022, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Capital Acquisition proposals of Armed Forces amounting to INR 8,357 crore. These include procurement of Air Defence Fire Control Radar (Light) and GSAT 7B Satellite. There is substantial opportunity for the Indian industry once strategic missiles are approved for series production. MSMEs could participate in the supply chain for these missiles. Recent missile tests indicate validation of different missile systems. Some of the successful missile tests since January 2022 till date include Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Agni-4, Short-range ballistic missile Prithvi-II, Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM), ATGM HELINA, Akash-NG, Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM), Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM).

The proposal to buy two new regiments of the Akash Prime missile air defence missiles systems is at an advanced stage. The development is coming at a time when the Indian Army’s Western and South Western commands carried out around a dozen test firings of the existing version of the Akash missiles in the force. A major ongoing program of the Indian Army is the procurement of 220 Air Defence Guns. Further, in May 2022, MoD issued an RFI to procure approximately 250 Long Range Satellite navigation system Guided Missile (LRSGM).

Way Forward

Air defence plays a significant role in protecting the nation’s strategic assets, either static or mobile. India’s air defence requirements are huge. Efforts are underway to make up for critical deficiencies as discussed in the paper.

Going forward, along with need for strategic air defence systems and integrated air defence command, there is a requirement to meet the changing needs posed by the contemporary battlespace. Air defence battle management is a complex, system-of-systems integration with all radars, sensors, weapons, and personnel connected. Its advantages include saving manpower and efficient use of the whole fire chain – one person can operate and respond to the complete chain, support tools to optimize and increase combat effectiveness, technology-enabled warfare strategy and tactics. Netcentric Operations systems must be indigenous since no country will share their warfare tactics. India, as per its perceived enemy profile and the geo-political situation, needs to digitize its concept of operations accordingly.

Ongoing Air Defence Projects (Make 1)

AIP has been accorded for the following:

• Standoff Airborne Jammer
• Directed Energy Weapons (300 KW and more) [high powered electromagnetic devices and highpowered laser devices]
• Communication System (AFNET System Switches, routers, Encryptors and VOIP phones)
• Electro Optical (EO) Pod (with a subsequent upgrade to EO/IR) with highresolution sensing.

Ongoing Air Defence Projects (Make II)

Indian Army

• MEAT (Manoeuvrable Expendable Aerial Target)
• Asibal System (ATGM)
• Medium Range Precision Kill System
• Unit Level Target System – Air Defence
• Mobile Integrated Network Terminal (MINT)
• Integrated Air Defence Combat Simulator
• Mountain Fire Control Radar (Suo Moto)
• HF Software Define Radio (Suo Moto)
• V/UHF Software Define Radio (Suo Moto)
• Drone Kill System
• Laser Beam Riding MANPADS
• Integrated Drone Detection and Interdictions System
• Low Level Light Weight Radar
• Runway Independent Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
• Autonomous – Surveillance and Armed Drone Swarm (Desert)
• Autonomous – Surveillance and Armed Drone Swarm (HAA)

Indian Air Force

• Chaff & flares
• 80 MM Rocket

Indian Navy

• Supersonic Weapon Imitating Flying Target

Extracted from the EY-IMR Knowledge Paper 2022.

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The Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 missiles are likely to be tested next year and in 2024 respectively, and are among the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) key ongoing programmes, said one of the officials cited above.

The current Astra Mk-1 variant has a range of around 100km.

The defence ministry on May 31 signed a ₹2,971-crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) to equip the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy with Astra Mk-1 missiles and associated equipment, which was seen as a shot in the arm for “Atmanirbharta”, or self-reliance, in the defence manufacturing sector.

DRDO has transferred technology to BDL for the production of the Astra Mk-1 and associated systems.

“Future air combat will be about detecting and striking targets at the farthest possible range. It will be the outcome of increase in the detection ranges of radars and the advent of longer-range missiles. It is important for India to develop missiles like Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 to meet IAF’s requirements,” said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general, Centre for Airpower Studies.

China has developed the PL-15 beyond visual range air-to-air missile that can hit targets at around 200km, while the Meteor with a range of around 160 km is considered the best in its class in the western world, and the new Astra variants will put India in the big league, he added.

The Astra Mk-1 missile has been fully integrated with the Sukhoi-30 fighters and will now add to the capabilities of other combat planes including the Tejas light combat aircraft, the officials said. Also, the navy’s MiG-29K fighters, which operate from India’s sole aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, will be equipped with the Astra Mk-1 missile.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis has exposed India’s overwhelming dependence on imported weaponry, especially from Russia, and underlined the urgent need for speeding up the indigenisation drive to become self-reliant.

Long-range missiles allow fighter jets to shoot down hostile aircraft from a significant standoff range, staying out of the adversary’s air defence envelope.

India has imposed a phased ban on the import of 310 different types of weapons and systems during the last two years to boost self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector.

These include lightweight tanks, naval utility helicopters, artillery guns, missiles, destroyers, ship-borne cruise missiles, light combat aircraft, light transport aircraft, long-range land-attack cruise missiles, basic trainer aircraft, multi-barrel rocket launchers, assault rifles, sniper rifles, specified types of helicopters, next-generation corvettes and airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems.

The 310 weapons and systems that have to be developed in the country were notified in three separate positive indigenisation lists published by the defence ministry in August 2020, May 2021 and April 2020.

Since the notification of the first and second lists, contracts for 31 projects worth ₹53,839 crore have been signed by the defence services as of April 2022, according to defence ministry data.

Also, acceptance of necessity (AoN) for 83 projects worth ₹1,77,258 crore was accorded by April 2022, and cases worth ₹2,93,741 crore will be taken up in the next five to seven years.

The domestic industry is likely to receive orders worth ₹2,10,000 crore in the next five years as a result of the third list, according to the defence ministry’s projections.

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ASTRA is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) system designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft.

The missile is designed to engage and destroy highly manoeuvering supersonic aircraft. The missile has all weather day and night capability. The ASTRA Mk-I Weapon System can be fitted to SU-30 Mk-I fighter aircraft.

In 2019, DRDO successfully flight tested ‘Astra’ from Su-30 MKI platform off the coast of Chandipur.

Astra BVRAAM has range of more than 100 kms with modern guidance and navigation techniques. The missile has midcourse guidance and RF seeker based terminal guidance to achieve target destruction with pin point accuracy. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed the ASTRA MK-I BVR AAM based on the requirements issued by the IAF catering for Beyond Visual Range as well as close combat engagement reducing the dependency on foreign sources.

Astra Missile is designed to be launched from fighter aircraft like SU-30, Mirage-2000, MIG-29, LCA-Tejas etc. Astra missile system is developed to neutralise aerial targets such as F-16 aircraft. Filled warheads have been successfully tested for static and dynamic performance.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system.”The Transfer of Technology from DRDO to BDL for production of ASTRA MK-I missile and all associated systems has been completed and production at BDL is in progress. This project will act as a catalyst for development of Infrastructure and Testing facilities at BDL. It will also create opportunities for several MSMEs in aerospace technology for a period of at least 25 years. The project essentially embodies the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and will help facilitate realising the country’s journey towards self-reliance in Air to Air Missiles,” the defence ministry said in its release.

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India has been making concerted attempts to boost the capability of its armed forces as the country faces what is seen as two-front war threats from China and Pakistan.

While the more superior fighters in the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet were flying around, over and near the Eastern Ladakh sectors, the light combat planes had assumed the role of a watchdog against Pakistan along the Western region.

India has been attempting to develop a variety of indigenous technology and weapon systems in order to increase defense sector self-reliance, especially for its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

Order for 83 LCAs

In February 2021, HAL was awarded the contract to manufacture 83 LCA for the Indian Air Force (IAF) at an estimated cost of Rs 48,000 crore at the 13th edition of Aero India in Bengaluru, bringing the total number of LCA versions ordered to 123. The 40 LCAs that the IAF has already ordered are in the initial operational clearance (IOC) and advanced operational clearance (FOC) variants.

Deliveries to the IAF will begin in 2023 and end in 2024. The indigenous fighter will be outfitted with a locally-developed flight control computer and an air data computer, both of which will be provided by BEL under this deal. Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bengaluru’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) have collaborated to develop both of these systems.

The LCA Mk-1A will have a number of enhancements over the FOC aircraft, making it the most advanced LCA variant to date.

The Mk-1A variant includes digital radar warning receivers, external self-protection jammer pods, AESA radar, enhanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, and greatly better maintainability. The indigenous component of the fighter is estimated to be around 60%, compared to 50% in earlier models.

On 16 December 2021, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a a five-year deal with Bharat Electronics Limited for the development and supply of 20 types of systems for the Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft (LCA) program. The deal, which runs from 2023 to 2028, entails supplying crucial avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), Flight Control Computers, and Night Flying LRUs in what is called the biggest ever order that the state-run company has placed on any Indian company boosting ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.

After completing the requisite design efforts, HAL has set a March 2022 timeline for the first flight of the LCA Mk-1A fighter, according to HAL chairman R Madhavan.

The LCA Tejas and its two variants in the pipeline have become the flag-bearers of India’s indigenous defense manufacturing. The new HAL contract is expected to not only give the requisite push to self-reliance but also boost the capability of the Tejas which is now being pitched to friendly countries.

Indigenous AESA Radar

The development of a indigenous AESA radar, which will be installed in the Tejas, is a big step forward and is aimed at creating a balance of power with China.

These AESA radars will be installed in all 83 Mk1A Tejas Aircraft which will boost its capability significantly. These radars, like the current avionic systems, are also largely indigenous with about 95% local component.

The AESA radar includes an electronic warfare (EW) suite with a jammer, the Combined Interrogator and Transponder (CIT) – an IFF plus system – and a digital map generator.

Hammer Missiles

Additionally, India is also procuring Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) missiles from France to integrate them with the LCA Tejas aircraft after its success with the Rafales.

They are being procured under the emergency route granted to the military in the backdrop of continuing Chinese aggression. These missiles are expected to enhance the firepower of these LCAs and allow them to strike bunker targets deep inside the enemy territory.

Tejas Mark 2 Design Cleared

The LCA) is now evolving from its current, single-engine, Mark 1 avatar to a more sophisticated, twin-engine, fifth-generation fighter. On 15 November 2021, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS), Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, accepted the comprehensive design review (CDR) of the LCA Mark 2.

A CDR is a multi-discipline, technical review that is a critical step in designing an aircraft. It involves examining the air frame design to ascertain that the aircraft is ready for fabrication and testing and it would achieve its stipulated performance within cost, schedule and risk.

The IAF’s acceptance of the CDR clears the way for HAL to start releasing drawings for fabricating the Mark 2’s first prototype.

Alongside building the Mark 2 prototype, HAL and the ADA – the DRDO agency that oversees the entire Tejas programme – must still resolve a few glitches that remain in the Mark 1 fighter; and also complete delivery of the IAF’s order of 40 Mark 1 (two squadrons) and 83 Mark 1A (four squadrons).

Status of the Indigenous Fighter Project

The first two Mark 1 squadrons are already operational in Sulur, near Coimbatore. Each of them is authorized 20 fighters, including four twin-seat trainers. The trainers’ specifications were finalised late, so they will be built along with the 10 trainers of the four Mark 1A squadrons.

The IAF has cleared the “FOC for the Mark I fighter, even though that involved granting 25 concessions – or performance shortfalls from the IAF’s specified requirements. HAL, ADA and the IAF are working together to resolve these shortfalls.

Issues Resolved

Issues which have already been resolved include equipping the Tejas to re-fuel in-flight, by day or night. This was proved by refuelling into internal fuel tanks or external drop tanks, from IL-78 refuellers or from Sukhoi-30MKI acting as “buddy refuellers.

The capability to monitor fuel levels in the Tejas through an integrated Environmental Control and Fuel Management (ECFM) system has also been resolved.

The Gasha 23 mm gun has been integrated into Tejas Mk 1 but live firing was pending. The same has also been done. 

The indigenous Astra air-to-air missile and Safran’s HAMMER air-to-ground bomb are waiting to be integrated onto the Tejas. HAL is doing the mechanical and electrical integration, while the DRDO is handling the software and the weapons algorithm.

Fatigue tests remain to establish the fighter’s service life span. These tests involve taking an aircraft from the production line and subjecting it to repetitive loading. As more and more hours are logged and the data accumulates, the manufacturer increases the designated life-span proportionately. It takes about nine years of testing to establish 3,000 hours of service life.

The digital map generator, designed by HAL’s Mission and Combat Systems R&D Centre (MCSR&DC), carries the complete map data of the country and neighbouring areas. Depending upon the Tejas’ mission, it extracts the digitised map of the current mission area and transfers it to the pilots’ display, where he can easily access it.

HAL is also integrating the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) onto the Mark 1A. The ASRAAM, which has a range of 60-70 kms was bought by the IAF from MBDA UK, for upgrading its Jaguar fighters. Now each Tejas too will carry two of these missiles on its outboard stations.

Another modification involves reshaping the cockpit floor to enable bigger pilots – with shoe size up to 10, which includes 95 per cent of all IAF pilots – to fit into the cockpit and fly the aircraft comfortably.

What Will the Tejas LCA Mk 2 be Like?

The Tejas Mark 2 is will be significantly larger and more capable than the Mk 1, with a higher thrust engine and a 1.5-metre increase in length. While there is no change in the size of the wings, they have been pushed outwards, effectively increasing the fighter’s wingspan by 300 mm.

Ahead of the wings, a canard has been added, creating a resemblance with contemporary fighters such as the Rafale, Eurofighter or the Sukhoi-30MKI. The canard provides an additional control surface that creates a vortex, increasing the lifting capability and agility of the aircraft.

The Mark 2 has increased payload capacity to integrate more weapons and sensors. It will carry the indigenous Astra Mark 1 and Mark 2 missiles, Rudram anti-radiation missiles, developed by the DRDO’s Defence R&D Laboratory (DRDL) (tested on 9 October).

DRDO is developing the Tara (high speed, low drag) bomb that is mounted on the pylons. It will also have the option of carrying laser guided bombs (LGBs), fitted with laser-guidance kits. Mark 2 may be integrated with the SCALP missile that has been procured along with the Rafale fighters.

Tejas Mark 2 will have 11 hard points, including one on each wingtip for the ASRAAM air-to-air missile. There will be three under-wing pylons on each side, one wet station on each side for fuel drop tanks, while the other three hard points are for long-range missiles such as the Astra and Rudram.

Fitted with significantly more powerful General Electric (GE) F-414 engine, the Mark 2 would have its internals rearranged, to make them more accessible and maintenance friendly. Line replacement units will be optimally rearranged to improve space utilisation, accessibility and make maintenance easier and reduce turn-around time.

Aeroengines

HAL had signed a $716 million deal with American company GE Aviation earlier this year for 99 F404 aircraft engines and related services to power the indigenous Tejas LCA Mk-1A. On top of that, it is now building its own indigenous engine that is expected to power its Tejas variants as well as its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) aircraft.

The current GE F-404 power pack will be replaced with F-414, whose peak thrust of 83 KiloNewtons (kN) is considered inadequate. The GE F-414 engine will deliver 98 kN of peak power. The new engine will enable the Mark 2 to take off with a maximum all-up weight of 16.5 tonnes, which will include the 10-tonne weight of the fighter and 6.5 tonnes of external payload.

The Tejas Mark 2 can carry 3.5 tonnes of fuel in external drop tanks, in addition to 3.3 tonnes in its internal fuel tanks, while still carrying three tonnes of weapons and sensors.

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