---
title: "HAL Tejas LCA: India's Indigenous Fighter | Model Diplomat"
description: "The HAL Tejas is India's indigenous single-engine multirole light combat aircraft, inducted into the IAF in 2016. Covers ADA, GE F404 engine, Mk-1A orders."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/tejas-lca"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The HAL Tejas is an indigenous Indian single-engine, multirole light combat aircraft developed under the Light Combat Aircraft programme and inducted into the Indian Air Force.
- Is the HAL Tejas a fully indigenous aircraft?
- How does the Tejas differ from the Rafale and the AMCA?
- When was the Tejas inducted into the Indian Air Force?
- Why has the Tejas Mk-1A delivery schedule slipped?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The HAL Tejas is an indigenous Indian single-engine, multirole light combat aircraft developed under the Light Combat Aircraft programme and inducted into the Indian Air Force.

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## Timeline

1. 4 January 2001

   The Technology Demonstrator TD-1 first flew on , piloted by Wing Commander Rajiv Kothiyal.

2. 20 December 2013

   The programme then moved through prototype vehicles and limited series production aircraft, accumulating flight envelope expansion before achieving Initial O…

3. 20 February 2019

   The programme then moved through prototype vehicles and limited series production aircraft, accumulating flight envelope expansion before achieving Initial O…

4. 1 July 2016

   45 Squadron "Flying Daggers," on at Bengaluru, later relocating it to Sulur, Tamil Nadu.

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In February 2021 India's Ministry of Defence signed a roughly ₹48,000-crore contract with HAL for 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, the largest indigenous defence procurement order then placed.

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