Tejas Mk1A Weapons and Payloads play a crucial role in strengthening India’s multi-role combat capabilities. Designed with state-of-the-art avionics, a digital fly-by-wire system, and low radar cross-section features, the Tejas Mk1A is not just agile—it’s battle-ready across air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance missions.
What truly sets it apart is its flexible weapons and payload configurations, allowing the fighter to adapt to diverse combat scenarios. From precision-guided bombs to beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, the Tejas Mk1A is engineered to strike hard and fast while maintaining high survivability.
In this article, we break down the full list of Tejas Mk1A weapons, missile integrations, payload capacity, and how these systems enhance their combat effectiveness in 2025 and beyond.
Table of Contents
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
One of the most defining aspects of the Tejas Mk1A armament is its sophisticated air-to-air missile suite. These weapons ensure the Tejas fighter remains lethal in both BVR (Beyond Visual Range) and WVR (Within Visual Range) combat.
1. Astra Mk1 – India’s Indigenous BVR Missile
A cornerstone of the Tejas Mk1A weapons list, the Astra Mk1 is India’s first indigenous BVR air-to-air missile developed by DRDO.
Key Features:
- Range: Up to 100 km – enabling strikes from safe stand-off distances
- Guidance: Mid-course inertial navigation + active radar homing
- Role: Effective against agile, supersonic enemy aircraft
Why it matters:
The Astra Mk1 gives the Tejas Mk1A a true long-range interception capability, matching global 4.5-gen fighters in beyond-visual engagements.
2. ASRAAM – Close Combat with Precision
The Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM), selected by India as the standard WVR missile, boosts the Tejas Mk1A’s agility in close combat.
Key Features:
- Advanced IR seeker: Accurate locking even in flares and ECM-heavy environments
- High off-boresight angle: Allows targeting without turning the aircraft fully
- Range: ~25 km (short-range dogfight dominance)
Why it matters:
The ASRAAM enables quick-reaction kills in dogfights, enhancing survivability and effectiveness in high-G manoeuvres.
3. Python-5 – All-Direction Dogfight Supremacy
Israel’s Python-5 missile, already combat-proven, rounds out the Tejas Mk1A’s close-combat arsenal with full-sphere targeting.
Key Features:
- Dual-band seeker: Combines IR + electro-optical imaging for high tracking precision
- Lock-on after launch: Enables shots from any direction (over-the-shoulder targeting)
- Combat radius: ~20 km, optimised for WVR supremacy
Why it matters:
The Python-5 provides superior dogfight capability, especially during high-speed, off-angle engagements where reaction time is critical.
Summary: Tejas Mk1A’s Air Combat Superiority
The combination of Astra Mk1, ASRAAM, and Python-5 empowers the Tejas Mk1A to dominate in both BVR and WVR combat, aligning with modern fourth-generation+ fighter standards. These missile integrations not only improve survivability but also give Tejas the agility and lethality needed in today’s dynamic air combat scenarios.
Tejas Mk1A Weapons and Payloads: Air-to-Ground Precision Strikes
Beyond its air-to-air dominance, the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet excels in air-to-ground precision strikes, reinforcing its multirole combat capability. Equipped with advanced guided munitions, the Tejas Mk1A can effectively neutralise strategic ground targets with surgical accuracy while minimising collateral damage.
Here are the most significant precision weapons integrated into the Tejas Mk1A payload system:
1. JDAM-ER (Joint Direct Attack Munition – Extended Range)
The JDAM-ER transforms standard unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions, giving the Tejas a major edge in standoff ground-attack operations.
Key Features:
- Guidance: GPS + inertial navigation ensures pinpoint accuracy
- Range: Extended reach keeps Tejas safely outside enemy air defences
- Use Case: Ideal for high-value targets and fortified structures
Why it matters:
With JDAM-ER, the Tejas Mk1A can strike deep inside enemy lines without entering contested airspace, enhancing mission survivability.
2. Griffin Laser-Guided Bombs
The Griffin bomb, a highly accurate laser-guided munition, adds tactical versatility to the Tejas Mk1A’s air-to-ground arsenal.
Key Features:
- Targeting: Effective against vehicles, bunkers, and hardened positions
- Precision: Reduces collateral damage during urban or asymmetric warfare
- Flexibility: Suitable for mobile or static ground threats
Why it matters:
By minimising civilian risk, Griffin bombs allow the Tejas to operate in sensitive zones, vital for peacekeeping and precision-strike operations.
3. AASM Hammer (Armement Air-Sol Modulaire)
Developed by France’s Safran Electronics & Defence, the AASM Hammer is a modular glide bomb system tailored for long-range precision strikes.
Key Features:
- Guidance Kit: Combines inertial, GPS, and laser guidance
- Range: Up to 60 km with stand-off capability
- Modularity: Compatible with various warhead types for mission-specific roles
Why it matters:
The AASM Hammer enhances the Tejas Mk1A’s deep-strike ability and operational flexibility, making it a key asset for ground suppression missions.
Summary: Tejas Mk1A’s Ground Strike Versatility
These precision-guided munitions—JDAM-ER, Griffin, and AASM Hammer—form the core of the Tejas Mk1A’s air-to-ground weapons package, enabling it to strike critical infrastructure, armour columns, and fortified targets with surgical accuracy. This capability ensures the Tejas Mk1A can adapt to any theatre—be it border skirmishes, anti-insurgency operations, or full-scale conventional warfare.
Tejas Mk1A Weapons and Payloads: Future-Ready Combat Systems
As battlefield requirements evolve, so do the Tejas Mk1A weapons and payloads, with ongoing and future integrations ensuring this indigenous fighter remains at the forefront of modern air combat. From anti-radiation missiles to next-gen cruise systems, the Tejas Mk1A is being future-proofed for complex 21st-century warfare.
Rudram-1 & Rudram-2 – SEAD Capabilities for Tejas Mk1A
The Rudram missile series, developed by DRDO, marks India’s advancement in Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) missions.
Rudram-1:
- Currently in the integration phase on Tejas Mk1A
- Targets radar stations, air defence batteries, and enemy emitters
- Enhances survivability during deep penetration missions
Rudram-2:
- Under development with extended range and improved precision
- Will boost the Tejas’s offensive electronic warfare capabilities
Why it matters:
With Rudram integration, Tejas Mk1A gains lethal stand-off SEAD capabilities, vital for first-strike scenarios and high-risk airspace operations.
SCALP & BrahMos-NG – Cruise Missile Strike Capabilities
Advanced plans are underway to integrate long-range, high-precision cruise missiles onto the Tejas Mk1A platform.
SCALP Missile (Storm Shadow):
- Deep-strike cruise missile with over 500 km range
- Designed for the destruction of high-value, fortified enemy infrastructure
- Already operational on Rafale—Tejas adaptation under discussion
BrahMos-NG (Next Gen):
- Compact, lighter version of the BrahMos supersonic missile
- Dual-role: can engage both land and sea targets
- Potential game-changer for maritime strike missions and coastal defence
Why it matters:
With these integrations, Tejas Mk1A becomes a strategic strike platform capable of stand-off precision attacks, extending India’s reach far beyond borders.
Internal Cannon – GSh-23 Twin-Barrel Gun
The GSh-23 23mm cannon, already integrated, supports Tejas Mk1A in close combat and ground attack roles.
Key Advantages:
- Dual-role functionality (air-to-air & air-to-ground)
- A high rate of fire is ideal for dogfights and strafing runs
- Complements missile systems for close-quarters engagements
Why it matters:
The cannon provides last-line defence and operational flexibility in engagements where missiles are not viable.
Electronic Warfare Systems – Combat Survivability
Modern aerial warfare demands strong defensive capabilities, and Tejas Mk1A delivers with integrated and external EW systems:
- Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS):
- Improves situational awareness
- Activates countermeasures automatically against radar/missile threats
- Self-Protection Jammer (SPJ):
- Pod-mounted jamming system for mission-specific operations
- Essential for survivability in contested airspace
Why it matters:
These systems allow Tejas Mk1A to operate in high-threat environments, avoid lock-ons, and complete missions with high survivability.
Summary: Future Weapons Make Tejas Mk1A Battle-Ready
The future integration of Rudram missiles, SCALP, BrahMos-NG, along with existing EW systems and the GSh-23 cannon, transforms Tejas Mk1A into a versatile, lethal, and survivable fighter in modern combat. These enhancements ensure it remains not just relevant, but dominant, against emerging regional threats and evolving battlefield dynamics.
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.