The LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas is a great project, and India must push it, says Patricia Marins, an independent analyst on Europe and Eurasia. In her post on X, she recommended that India needs to turn the page on the Tejas crash and keep pushing the program forward. 

Marins says the LCA is a low-Radar Cross Section (RCS) project that perfectly complements the Su-30MKIs and would complement even more the possible future Su-57s. In today’s environment, the fight will be decided by the range and precision of air-to-air missiles, as well as the power and scanning speed of the radars. It’s no coincidence that the Russians are developing a smaller fighter, and that both European aircraft (Rafale and Gripen) are relatively small jets. Radar cross-section still matters. The Uttam MkII AESA radar with GaN modules will give the Tejas excellent performance and strong export potential. It’s a great project, and the causes of the accident simply need to be fixed.

The LCA Tejas fighter is in the spotlight due to the crash while performing aerobatic maneuvers at the Dubai Airshow 2025 on November 21. The pilot of the aircraft, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, died in the crash. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to identify the cause of the crash. An IAF team is working with the UAE authorities on a joint investigation.  The Indian Air Force has 40 LCA Tejas MK-1 in service, and in the future, LCA Tejas MK-1A and MK-2 will be entering service. These two versions will be flying along with the SU-30MKI, Rafale fighter jets, and the fifth-generation AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).

As China already has fifth fifth-generation fighter like J-20 in service with its air force, and J-35  will enter service with the PLA Navy. India is looking at the US F-35 or the SU-57 ‘Felon’ as an interim fifth-generation fighter for the IAF. With projected orders of over 220 aircraft over the next decade, the Tejas will form the second-largest fleet of fighter jets, after the Sukhoi SU-30 MKI. 

Despite being one of the smallest 4.5 generation aircraft—  the Tejas has a maximum take-off weight of 13.5 tons— the jet can carry air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and has far better than the MiG-21, which it is going to replace. 

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.