The advanced 4.5-generation multirole Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 of the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is under development by India’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is an extension of Mk1A, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said on Friday.
Generation-wise, Tejas Mk2 and Mk1A belong to a similar class, but Mk2 will be able to carry more weapons, he said, adding, "In terms of range and endurance, Mk2 will be able to perform better than Mk1A."
#WATCH | Delhi: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh says, "As far as LCA Mk2 is concerned, according to me, LCA Mk2 is sort of an extension of Mk1A. It is a bigger platform with almost, it's a similar class if I say generation-wise, but it will be able to carry… pic.twitter.com/HkyhWet9QB
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2025
"It will be able to carry bigger weapons. So that is why that falls very much in our scheme of things..."
If you ask if the programme was on time, the next lot of LAC Mk1A could have been Mk2s; that may happen even now, he said.
According to him, although there were challenges faced with regard to trainer aircraft, the Indian Air Force managed to readapt training in a manner that, even with a reduced number of platforms, the force is able to achieve what it wants to achieve in terms of training.
He expressed confidence that the supply chain issues that the aircraft programme is facing will be resolved soon.
A few days ago, the defence ministry had inked a Rs. 62,370 crore contract with HAL for the procurement of 97 LCA Mk1A. The delivery of these aircraft, with an indigenous content of over 64 per cent with 67 additional items incorporated, over and above the previous LCA Mk1A contract signed in January 2021, will begin during 2027-28 and be completed over a period of six years.
