Mk2 figures are design targets; its first flight is targeted for 2027. A dash means no reliable published figure.
01Dimensions
Compact by design
| Spec | Mk1 | Mk1A | Mk2Design target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 13.2 m2 | 13.2 m | 14.65 m6 |
| Wingspan | 8.2 m | 8.2 m | 8.5 m |
| Height | 4.4 m | 4.4 m | — |
| Wing area | 38.4 m²5 | 38.4 m²5 | — |
| Planform | Tailless compound delta1 | Tailless compound delta | Close-coupled canard delta |
02Weights
Light, and it shows
| Spec | Mk1 | Mk1A | Mk2Design target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weight | 6,560 kg1 | — | — |
| Clean take-off | 9,800 kg1 | — | — |
| Max take-off | 13,500 kg2 | 13,500 kg | 17,500 kg6 |
| Internal fuel | 2,458 kg5 | 2,458 kg5 | — |
| Weapons load | 5,300 kgHAL payload figure; ADA quotes 3,500 kg of external stores | 5,300 kgHAL payload figure | 6,500 kg |
03Performance
Speed & reach
| Spec | Mk1 | Mk1A | Mk2Design target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top speed | Mach 1.6–1.8HAL 1.6; Jane's 1.8 | Mach 1.6–1.8 | Mach 1.8 |
| Radius of action | 300 km2HAL figure | — | — |
| Ferry range | ~3,000 kmWith drop tanks; reported, no official figure | — | — |
| Service ceiling | 15–16 kmADA 15 km; HAL 16 km | 15–16 km | — |
| g-limits | +9 / −3.51 | +9 / −3.5 | +9 / −3.5 |
Why sources disagree
HAL quotes a top speed of Mach 1.6, Jane's Mach 1.8, and ADA only "supersonic at all altitudes". Websites often convert Mach 1.8 to 2,205 km/h, but that uses the speed of sound at sea level. At the high altitude where a fighter reaches its top speed, Mach 1.8 is about 1,910 km/h — so this page quotes Mach, not km/h.
04Propulsion
One engine, two generations
The Mk1 and Mk1A share the GE F404-IN20. The Mk2 moves to the larger F414-INS6, to be built in India by HAL with GE. The engine story →
| Spec | Mk1 | Mk1A | Mk2Design target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | GE F404-IN20 | GE F404-IN203 | GE F414-INS63 |
| Thrust (dry) | ~54 kN12,100 lbf5 | ~54 kN | — |
| Thrust (afterburner) | 84 kN class3 | 84 kN class | 98 kN class3 |
05Radar & EW
What it sees
The cockpit, flight controls, radar and EW fit in more depth. The avionics story →
| Spec | Mk1 | Mk1A | Mk2Design target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radar | EL/M-2032Multi-mode pulse-Doppler | EL/M-2052 AESAReported for the first 83 jets; UTTAM AESA on the next 974 | AESA radarPlanned |
| Self-protection | Integrated EW suite1 | EW suite with self-protection jammerSwayam Raksha Kavach on the 97-jet batch4 | Unified EW suitePlanned |
| Cockpit | Glass cockpit, HUD, helmet-mounted display1 | Glass cockpit, HUD, helmet-mounted display | — |
06Armament
What it carries
| Spec | Mk1 | Mk1A | Mk2Design target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gun | GSh-23 23 mm1 | GSh-23 23 mm | — |
| Hardpoints | 8 | 8–9Sources vary | 11–13Sources vary |
| Air-to-air | R-73, Derby, Python-5 | Astra Mk1, ASRAAM, Derby, R-73 | Astra familyPlanned |
| Air-to-ground | Laser-guided & unguided bombs | Precision-guided munitions | Stand-off weaponsPlanned |
07Sources
Where these numbers come from
- ADA — LCA Air Force Mk1 (archived copy of ada.gov.in). ada.gov.in via web.archive.org
- HAL — LCA series production, specifications (archived copy of hal-india.co.in). hal-india.co.in via web.archive.org
- GE Aerospace — F404 and F414 engine family. geaerospace.com
- PIB — MoD signs contract with HAL for 97 LCA Mk1A, 25 Sep 2025. pib.gov.in
- HAL Tejas — specifications (citing Jane's All the World's Aircraft). en.wikipedia.org
- HAL Tejas Mk2 — design data. en.wikipedia.org
- The Week — Tejas Mk1A delivery status, 18 Sep 2026. theweek.in