Tech Desk: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has completed a critical upgrade on the final two twin-seat Tejas trainer aircraft (SPT7 and SPT8) from the original 2010 order, equipping them with advanced Israeli EL/M-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars and air-to-air refuelling probes. This significant move prepares Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots for a seamless transition to the more advanced Tejas Mk1A combat variants, bridging a crucial technological gap.

These upgraded trainers replace the older, mechanically steered EL/M-2032 radars found in earlier Tejas models, ensuring trainee pilots gain hands-on experience with the sophisticated sensor architecture they will encounter in the Mk1A fleet. The integration of modern AESA radar and mid-air refuelling capabilities is vital for operational readiness.

This milestone marks the completion of the initial 40-jet Tejas Mk1 order, allowing HAL to now focus entirely on the production of the 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft ordered in 2021, and a further 97 jets in 2025. While the current trainers utilize imported Israeli avionics, India is making a definitive shift towards self-reliance.

Crucially, the upcoming batch of 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft will feature domestically developed systems. Its 29 trainers are mandated to integrate the indigenous Uttam AESA radar and the Swayam Raksha Kavach (SRK) electronic warfare suite, signifying India’s growing aerospace defence capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign technology.