New Delhi: Tejas Mk1A MK2 upgrade is expected to receive a major capability upgrade as the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to equip both the Tejas Mk1A and the upcoming Tejas Mk2 with air-launched loitering munitions and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The move aims to improve deep strike missions, increase pilot safety, and strengthen India’s indigenous air combat capability. The reported plan aligns with the IAF’s wider modernization and self-reliance goals.
Details of Tejas Mk1A MK2 Upgrade
According to defence reports, the IAF wants its Tejas fighter aircraft to launch intelligent loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones, from the air. These drones can fly over a target area, search for enemy positions, and attack when the right target is found. This allows fighter aircraft to strike from a safer distance without directly entering heavily defended airspace.
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Collaborative Combat Aircraft to Support Tejas
The plan also includes the future use of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). CCAs are unmanned aircraft designed to work alongside manned fighter jets. They can perform dangerous missions such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, decoy operations, and precision strikes while the pilot remains at a safer distance.
This “manned-unmanned teaming” concept is becoming an important part of modern air warfare worldwide.
Tejas Mk1A MK2 Upgrade: Better Deep Strike Capability
By combining fighter jets with loitering munitions and CCAs, the IAF hopes to improve its ability to carry out deep strike missions against high-value enemy targets. These systems could help destroy enemy air defence systems, radar stations, command centres, and other critical military infrastructure before the fighter aircraft move closer to the battlefield.
Tejas Mk1A MK2 Upgrade:Focus on Indigenous Defence Technology
The reported plan supports India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative by encouraging the development of indigenous unmanned combat technologies.
The IAF has already launched projects to develop long-range indigenous One-Way Attack Unmanned Aerial Systems (OWA-UAS), showing its commitment to building advanced drone capabilities within India.
What It Means for the Indian Air Force
If implemented, the integration of air-launched loitering munitions and Collaborative Combat Aircraft would significantly improve the combat effectiveness of the Tejas fleet.
It would allow pilots to engage targets from safer distances, increase mission success rates, reduce operational risks, and strengthen India’s future air combat capabilities while relying more on indigenous defence technologies. However, the capability remains at the planning stage, and no official induction timeline has been announced by the Ministry of Defence or the Indian Air Force.
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