Made-in-India Choppers, Missiles and Fighter Aircrafts Used by IAF

India has made significant strides in indigenous defense production, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) increasingly relying on homegrown technologies to enhance its capabilities. From advanced fighter jets like the HAL Tejas to powerful missiles such as the BrahMos, and versatile helicopters like the HAL Dhruv, India is demonstrating its expertise in aerospace and defense manufacturing. This piece explores the made-in-India helicopters, missiles, and fighter aircraft that are empowering the IAF to tackle every situation.

Astra Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM)

The Astra Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) is a state-of-the-art weapon system developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It's designed to engage and destroy aerial targets that are highly manoeuvrable and supersonic. 

Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)

The Tejas is a multirole, single-engine, delta-wing fighter aircraft. It was developed for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy by two entities: the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which designed it, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which manufactures it. The name 'Tejas' comes from Sanskrit and means "radiance."

F-21

F-21 is an advanced, single-engine, multi-role fighter specifically configured for the Indian Air Force. Lockheed Martin and Tata would produce the F-21 in India, for India. It is configurable with the Triple Missile Launch Adapter and 40% greater Air-to-Air firepower compared to legacy fighters.

HAL Dhruv 

The HAL Dhruv is a utility helicopter designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. It is a twin-engine, multi-role, multi-mission new generation helicopter in the 5.5-ton weight class. It has an armed variant for Attack, Close Air Support and High-altitude operations. 

BRAHMOS Supersonic Cruise Missile

BRAHMOS is a two-stage missile with a solid propellant booster engine as its first stage which brings it to supersonic speed and then gets separated. The missile has a flight range of up to 290 km with supersonic speed all through the flight, leading to shorter flight time, consequently ensuring lower dispersion of targets, quicker engagement time and non-interception by any known weapon system in the world.

Dornier

The 19-seater HAL–DO–228 aircraft is a highly versatile multi-purpose light transport aircraft. It has been developed specifically to meet the manifold requirements of utility and commuter transport, third-level services and air-taxi operations, Coast Guard duties and maritime surveillance.

HAL Hawk 

The Hawk is a tandem-seat Aircraft for ground attack, flying training and weapon training. It has a low wing and an all-metal structure and is powered by an Adour Mk 871 turbofan engine. The Aircraft has an integrated navigation /attack system and radio and inertial navigation systems. It is cleared for instrument (IFR) flying and for Solo Instrument flying from the front cockpit only.

HTT - 40

The Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT)-40 is an ab initio trainer aircraft designed to meet primary training requirements. This fully aerobatic tandem seat turbo trainer will have an air-conditioned cockpit, modern avionics, hot refuelling, quick pilot change over and zero-zero ejection seats. Built around a proven turboprop engine, this aircraft is designed to have good low-speed handling qualities for better training effectiveness.