The series production of the Tejas aircraft has already commenced at HAL Bangalore and the IAF intends to form the first squadron of the LCA on 01 July 2016. The IAF has also decided to place an order for an additional 80 Tejas in the advanced LCA MK1A configuration.

The specifications derived for design & development of LCA MK1A are based on the applicable international military standards. Kaizan techniques are being adopted to ensure international standards. The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’ has achieved initial operational clearance.

The HAL Tejas is a single-seat, single-jet engine, multi-role light fighter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) designed for high manoeuvrability. It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, which began in 1993 to replace India's ageing Soviet era MiG-21 fighters. LCA was officially named "Tejas" in 2003, meaning "Radiant" in Sanskrit by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.