In 2021, the Indian government gave a US$ 6 billion contract to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for 83 indigenous developed and manufactured Tejas Light Combat Aircraft - powered by a General Electric F414 engine (like the F/A-18 Hornet). HAL is in talks with at least Malaysia, Argentina, Egypt and Botswana for Tejas sales. Malaysia showed specific interest in sixteen aircraft but the Korean competitor, the T-50/FA-50 is also in the race to win that contract.

Generating smoke and vapour, this Final Operational Clearance (FOC) standard Tejas of No. 18 Sqn. is put through its paces by Gp Capt Manish Tolani, CO of the "Flying Bullets" on the 89th Air Force Day at Hindon AFS. The Tejas display gets better and better with each event. The FOC standard comes with an aerial refuelling probe.

Demonstrating its agility, this Final Operational Clearance (FOC) standard Tejas of No. 18 Sqn. "Flying Bullets" rolls hard to the left while still over the active in the run-up to the 89th Air Force Day at Hindon AFS. One can see the blister under the starboard intake containing the 23mm twin-barrelled GSh-23 gun and five hardpoints attached out of a possible eight across its compound delta wing. The FOC standard comes with an aerial refuelling probe.

On static display on the 89th Air Force Day at Hindon AFS. In keeping with the theme of 'self-reliant and capable', this Final Operational Clearance (FOC) standard Tejas of No. 18 Sqn. "Flying Bullets" with an aerial refuelling probe comes loaded with 1200L droptanks, LGBs, R-73E missiles and a Litening III pod. Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon of No. 18 Sqn. "Flying Bullets" was awarded the IAF's only Param Vir Chakra posthumously, India's highest military award, after his defence of Srinagar in 1971.

Third Limited Series Production (LSP-3) Tejas taking to the air at Aero India 2015.

On static display at Aero India 2015, showing an assortment of stores under the eight hardpoints including two 1200L drop tanks.

Like a ray of light in the morning, this Tejas from No. 18 Sqn. takes to the air at 140 kts in the hands of the Gp Capt Manish Tolani, CO of the "Flying Bullets". As display pilot for the Tejas during Aero India 2021, "Tolly" put the aircraft through its paces, demonstrating its manoeuvrability in an excellent flying display. Three extended slats can be seen.

Olympic silver-medallist PV Sindhu goes aloft for the ride of a lifetime as the GIB in the twin-seat Tejas PV-5. Day 4 of Aero India 2019 was in honor of Women in Aviation, celebrated with women parajumpers, pilots and famous personalities.

All three airworthy Tejas at the time: KH2001, 2 and 3.

Third LCA prototype