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Tejas Gets Israeli Radar Upgrade to Boost Indian Air Force Power
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News18•07-10-2026, 05:01
Tejas Gets Israeli Radar Upgrade to Boost Indian Air Force Power
- •HAL has fully upgraded the final two twin-seat Tejas trainer aircraft from the 2010 order with advanced technology.
- •The jets are now equipped with Israel's EL/M-2052 AESA radar, offering vastly superior accuracy and targeting capabilities.
- •Mid-air refueling probes have been integrated into both aircraft to significantly extend their operational range and strike power.
- •This upgrade bridges the technological gap between older Tejas Mk1 jets and the upcoming advanced Tejas Mk1A variants.
- •Future Tejas jets will feature the indigenous Uttam AESA radar and Swyam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite as India drives towards self-reliance.
Key Questions Answered
The last two twin-seat Tejas trainer aircraft from the 2010 order (designated SPT7 and SPT8) have been fitted with Israel's EL/M-2052 AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, which offers significantly smarter and more accurate performance than older mechanical radars.
Upgrading these trainer jets was crucial to bridge the technological gap between the older Tejas Mk1 and the upcoming advanced Tejas Mk1A, ensuring that new pilots are perfectly prepared to operate the combat variants directly.
While the initial trainer jets use Israeli avionics, the upcoming order of 97 new jets will entirely feature the indigenous Uttam AESA radar and the 'Swyam Raksha Kavach' (SRK) electronic warfare suite.
