Tejas Mk1A Weapons and Payloads define the cutting edge of India’s multirole combat capabilities in 2025. Engineered for high agility, low observability, and advanced digital avionics, the Tejas Mk1A is designed to dominate air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with precision and adaptability.
What sets the Tejas Mk1A apart is its versatile weapons configuration, ranging from long-range BVR missiles like Astra Mk1 to laser-guided bombs and smart munitions. As of 23rd June 2025, the fighter has been upgraded with dual-pylon ASRAAM missile integration, effectively doubling its short-range combat potential without compromising other payloads.
In this detailed article, we explore the full Tejas Mk1A weapons list, its smart payload architecture, missile integrations, and how these enhancements boost its combat effectiveness across modern threat environments.
Tejas Mk1A Weapons and Payloads: Air-to-Air Combat Arsenal
The Tejas Mk1A features an advanced mix of weapons and payloads tailored for diverse mission profiles, including air superiority, ground strikes, and reconnaissance. This flexibility allows the Indian-made fighter to adapt quickly across varied combat scenarios, whether in long-range intercepts or high-speed dogfights.
Air-to-Air Engagements: Key Missiles on Tejas Mk1A
Tejas Mk1A weapons and payloads include a powerful combination of air-to-air missile systems that ensure combat superiority across both Beyond Visual Range (BVR) and Within Visual Range (WVR) scenarios. Its integrated missile suite blends indigenous innovation with globally trusted technologies to deliver unmatched strike capability.
Astra Mk1 – India’s Long-Range BVR Missile
Astra Mk1 is the first fully indigenous Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile developed by DRDO, designed to meet the IAF’s long-range engagement needs.
Key Features:
- Range: Up to 100 km
- Guidance: Inertial mid-course navigation with active radar homing
- Target Type: High-speed, supersonic aircraft in evasive flight
This BVR missile allows the Tejas Mk1A to strike enemy aircraft from standoff distances, enhancing pilot survivability while maintaining air superiority in high-threat zones.
ASRAAM – Short-Range Missile with Dual-Pylon Integration
The Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) gives Tejas Mk1A exceptional performance in close combat. It features an advanced imaging infrared seeker and high off-boresight capability, ideal for quick-reaction engagements.
Key Features:
- Range: Approximately 25 km
- Seeker: Imaging IR seeker with ECCM capability
- Integration: Now fitted on dual wing pylons (as of June 2025), enabling 4-missile carriage
This upgrade significantly increases the Mk1A’s WVR missile capacity, offering improved dogfight performance without sacrificing other weapons or drop tank space.
Python-5 – Full-Sphere Dogfight Missile
The Israeli Python-5 complements ASRAAM by offering complete 360-degree targeting with advanced tracking systems.
Key Features:
- Range: Up to 20 km
- Seeker: Dual-band (IR + electro-optical) seeker
- Capability: Lock-on after launch, over-the-shoulder engagement
Its advanced guidance allows Tejas Mk1A to hit targets even during complex manoeuvres, ensuring precision and flexibility in close-in aerial combat.
Tejas Mk1A Weapons and Payloads: Air-to-Ground Precision Strikes
Air-to-Ground Precision Strike Capability of Tejas Mk1A
Beyond its air-to-air supremacy, the Tejas Mk1A weapons and payloads deliver formidable performance in air-to-ground precision strike missions, reinforcing its status as a true multirole combat aircraft. Equipped with advanced targeting pods and high-accuracy guided munitions, Tejas Mk1A can engage strategic ground targets with surgical precision while maintaining low collateral impact—ideal for both conventional and asymmetric warfare.
JDAM-ER – Long-Range GPS-Guided Bombs for Standoff Strikes
The JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition – Extended Range) upgrades standard unguided bombs into precision weapons by integrating GPS and inertial navigation systems.
Key Features:
- Guidance: GPS-aided inertial navigation for high precision
- Range: Extended standoff capability up to 70+ km
- Application: Effective against bunkers, bridges, and command centres
The JDAM-ER gives Tejas Mk1A the ability to strike high-value enemy positions without breaching heavily defended airspace—enhancing both pilot survivability and strike effectiveness.
Griffin Laser-Guided Bombs – Tactical Precision in Close Support
The Griffin laser-guided bomb, designed for tactical flexibility, is ideal for precision strikes in cluttered or urban environments where civilian presence or infrastructure risk is high.
Key Features:
- Target Profile: Armoured vehicles, reinforced bunkers, static defences
- Seeker: Semi-active laser for pinpoint accuracy
- Use Case: Ideal for close air support and precision engagement in populated zones
By minimising off-target impact, Griffin bombs empower the Tejas Mk1A to operate confidently in counter-insurgency operations and sensitive border missions where precision and discretion are critical.
AASM Hammer – Modular Glide Bomb for Deep Precision Strikes
The French-origin AASM Hammer (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire) is a smart glide bomb system built for long-range precision attack, even in GPS-denied or heavily jammed environments.
Key Features:
- Guidance System: Inertial + GPS with optional laser terminal seeker
- Operational Range: Up to 60 km stand-off distance
- Modularity: Configurable with different warhead types and fuse options
Tejas Mk1A’s compatibility with AASM Hammer enhances its ability to deliver precision firepower across diverse battlefield scenarios—from destroying enemy radars to neutralising mobile air defence systems.
These advanced air-to-ground munitions, including JDAM-ER, Griffin, and AASM Hammer, make the Tejas Mk1A’s strike package highly adaptable for surgical ground attacks. Whether the mission involves deep-penetration strikes or urban close support, the Mk1A delivers accuracy, flexibility, and combat reliability in every sortie.
Tejas Mk1A Weapons and Payloads: Future-Ready Combat Systems
Tejas MK1A Weapons and Payloads: Future Integrations on Tejas Mk1A
As battlefield dynamics become more complex, the Tejas Mk1A weapons and payloads are being continuously upgraded to meet next-generation combat requirements. From Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) to stand-off cruise missile strikes, the Tejas Mk1A is undergoing transformative integrations that ensure its dominance in high-threat and multi-domain warfare environments.
Rudram-1 & Rudram-2 – SEAD Missiles for Electronic Warfare Dominance
Developed by DRDO, the Rudram missile series enhances the Tejas Mk1A’s role in electronic warfare and air defence suppression, enabling it to neutralise enemy radar and missile systems from safe distances.
Rudram-1:
- Currently undergoing integration on Tejas Mk1A
- Targets hostile radar stations, air defence systems, and enemy emitters
- Increases survivability during deep-penetration missions
Rudram-2:
- Under development with extended range and improved guidance
- Designed to counter more advanced and mobile enemy air defences
- Enhances India’s offensive EW capability through precision SEAD missions
These integrations position the Tejas Mk1A as a frontline platform for first-strike missions in contested airspace, ensuring mission success and pilot safety in high-risk environments.
SCALP & BrahMos-NG – Cruise Missile Capabilities for Strategic Reach
Future upgrades to the Tejas Mk1A payload system include long-range cruise missile integrations, giving it a powerful strike capability far beyond India’s borders.
SCALP (Storm Shadow):
- Deep-strike subsonic cruise missile with a range exceeding 500 km
- Designed for precision targeting of hardened enemy installations and critical infrastructure
- Already operational on Rafale; adaptation for Tejas is under active consideration
BrahMos-NG:
- Compact, next-generation version of the BrahMos supersonic missile
- Capable of engaging both land and naval targets
- Lighter design enables integration on light fighter platforms like Tejas Mk1A
- Offers game-changing maritime strike and coastal defence options
With these additions, the Tejas Mk1A transforms into a long-range strategic strike fighter, giving India enhanced deterrence and stand-off strike depth in regional theatres.
GSh-23 Internal Cannon – Close Combat and Ground Attack Utility
Already integrated into the aircraft, the Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23, a twin-barrel 23mm cannon, provides the Tejas Mk1A with close-quarters lethality.
Key Features:
- Dual-role: Supports both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions
- High rate of fire: Ideal for dogfights and low-altitude strafing runs
- Integrated into the airframe for immediate availability in short-range combat
The internal cannon complements missile systems by providing last-resort defence and tactical flexibility during visual-range engagements or when munitions are depleted.
Electronic Warfare Systems – Enhancing Combat Survivability
In modern air combat, electronic warfare (EW) is as crucial as firepower. The Tejas Mk1A is equipped with integrated and pod-mounted EW solutions to counter radar threats and missile lock-ons.
Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS):
- Improves real-time threat awareness
- Automates countermeasure deployment against radar-guided weapons
- Provides radar warning, jamming, and electronic deception
Self-Protection Jammer (SPJ):
- External pod designed for mission-specific jamming operations
- Disrupts enemy tracking systems and fire-control radars
- Essential for survival in high-threat, networked airspace
These systems collectively give Tejas Mk1A the capability to operate in contested electronic environments, evade hostile threats, and carry out precision strikes with minimal exposure.
Overall Performance Metrics and Payload Capacity
The Tejas Mk1A fighter jet is designed with exceptional operational flexibility, capable of adapting to a wide range of combat and support missions. Its structural design and engine performance allow it to carry significant payloads while maintaining high-speed agility and endurance.
Key Performance & Payload Specifications:
- Hardpoints: Equipped with 9 hardpoints, the Tejas Mk1A supports a versatile mix of air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, rocket pods, and external fuel tanks, enabling multi-role deployment.
- Maximum Payload Capacity: With a payload capacity of up to 5,300 kg, the aircraft can be customised for various mission profiles, from precision strikes to reconnaissance.
- Combat Radius: Enhanced by drop tanks, the Tejas Mk1A offers an operational range of approximately 500 km, providing greater mission reach and endurance.
- Top Speed & Powerplant: Powered by the General Electric F404-IN20 engine, it can achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, ensuring swift engagement and exit in hostile zones.
Why it matters: These specs ensure that the Tejas Mk1A weapons and payloads are not only diverse but also mission-effective, supporting India’s goals for a nimble, self-reliant, and lethal air fleet.
Conclusion: The Future of the Tejas Mk1A
The Tejas Mk1A, armed with a sophisticated suite of weapons and payloads, stands at the forefront of India’s future airpower strategy. From BVR missiles like the Astra Mk1 to precision-guided bombs such as JDAM-ER and Griffin, it reflects a potent blend of versatility, accuracy, and indigenous innovation.
Looking ahead, the integration of next-gen systems like the Rudram series, SCALP, and BrahMos-NG will further elevate the Tejas Mk1A’s battlefield relevance, especially in strike missions, SEAD operations, and maritime roles.
Beyond weapons, its advanced EW suites, modular architecture, and future-proof adaptability make it a key enabler of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in defence technology.
Tejas Mk1A is not just a fighter jet—it’s India’s statement of sovereignty, innovation, and air dominance in a contested 21st-century battlespace.