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Sandeep Pratap Singh
Written By Sandeep Pratap Singh
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India is set to give its Tejas Mk1A fighter jets a major boost by equipping them with the indigenously developed Uttam AESA radar. This advanced system will enhance the jet’s combat power and marks another big step in the country’s push for self-reliance in defence under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Uttam Radar to Enhance Tejas Mk1A Combat Power

India is taking a big step to boost its homegrown fighter jet program. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to fit the advanced Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar into the 97 Tejas Mk1A jets it is buying from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 

This move supports the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) mission and shows the country’s push to use more indigenous defence technology.

Why Uttam AESA Radar Matters

The Uttam radar, built by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), is a modern system that is far more powerful than older mechanically scanned radars. It can:

  • Detect and track enemy aircraft more accurately (over 150 km range for fighter jets).

  • Engage multiple targets at the same time.

  • Work in different modes—air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea.

  • Stay harder for enemies to detect because of its low probability of interception.

By adding Uttam, the Tejas Mk1A will become a much stronger 4.5-generation light combat aircraft, improving its role in India’s frontline defence.

Tejas Mk1A Program

The Tejas Mk1A is an upgraded version of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). It already has more than 60% indigenous parts, such as:

  • The Uttam radar.

  • An electronic warfare (EW) system.

  • A modern cockpit display system.

The aircraft runs on the General Electric F404-GE-IN20 engine and can carry both Indian weapons like the Astra Mk1 Beyond Visual Range missile and foreign ones like the Python-5 and Derby missiles.

India had earlier ordered 83 Tejas Mk1A jets in 2021 under a ₹48,000 crore deal. 

Now, with the additional 97 jets (a ₹60,000 crore deal expected by late 2025), the IAF’s total Tejas Mk1A fleet will reach 180 aircraft. 

This will give the Air Force around nine full squadrons by the early 2030s, helping replace the aging MiG-21 fighters.

Radar Production Strategy

To ensure the timely delivery of radars for all 97 jets, HAL and IAF are considering a dual-vendor model:

  • The main supplier (L1 – the lowest bidder) will get priority.

  • If the L1 vendor cannot meet the deadlines, some production may be given to the second-lowest bidder (L2).

This step will reduce risks of delays and keep up with HAL’s target of producing 24 jets per year from its factories in Bengaluru and Nashik. 

Likely vendors include Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and DRDO-linked private companies.

Bigger Picture

This order will:

  • Strengthen India’s fighter jet fleet.

  • Create more opportunities for the domestic defence industry.

  • Ensure that future projects like the upcoming Tejas Mk2 (170 planned jets) also benefit from the indigenous Uttam radar.

The integration of Uttam AESA radar into Tejas Mk1A not only improves the jet’s combat power but also marks a major leap in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defence technology.


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