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Fighter
LCA Tejas (First Flight)
HAL · India
The Tejas was designed to replace the aging MiG-21 fleet. It features a tailless compound-delta wing and a high percentage of composite materials (45%) to reduce weight. Its 2001 flight marked India's return to domestic fighter development after 40 years.
Technical Specifications
| First Flight | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Max Speed | 2,205 km/h (Mach 1.8) |
| Range | 1,700 km |
| Ceiling | 15,240 m |
| Engines | 1x General Electric F404-GE-F2J3 afterburning turbofan |
Armament & Payload
1x 23mm GSh-23; 8x hardpoints for Derby and R-73 missiles.