LCA Tejas Mk-2.

• According to a senior official from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 will be integrated with heavy standoff weapons like SCALP, an air-to-ground, long-range deep strike missile.
  • The LCA Mk2 will also be able to integrate unique weapons from various countries like France, Russia etc.

About LCA Tejas Mk2

• The Indigenous LCA Tejas Mk2 is a fighter aircraft developed in India that can carry eight Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) missiles simultaneously, along with integrating all native weapons and advanced weapons from other countries.
• The LCA Mk2 is an upgraded version of the LCA Tejas Mk1, which has improved range and mission endurance.
  • The mission endurance for fighting a war was 57 minutes for LCA Tejas Mk1, but it is 120 minutes for LCA Tejas Mk2.
• It will be pitched as a replacement for the Jaguars, MiG-29s, and Mirage 2000s.
• LCA Mk2 will have a weapon carrying capacity of 6.5 tonnes.
• The General Electric GE-414 engine will power the LCA Mk2.
• The LCA programme was started by the Government of India in 1984 when it established the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to manage the LCA programme.

Other Variants of Tejas:

• Tejas Trainer: 2-seater operational conversion trainer for training air force pilots.
• LCA Navy: Twin- and single-seat carrier-capable for the Indian Navy.