DRDO and ADA to Convert Tejas Prototypes into Autonomous Fighter Jets
India is taking a significant step towards the future of aerial warfare by planning to convert older Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) prototypes into autonomous fighter jets. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) are leading this initiative, which aims to develop advanced aircraft technologies for the next decade and lay the foundation for future Indian fighter aircraft.
The Tejas prototypes, which cannot be upgraded to the Mk1A standard, will now serve as experimental platforms rather than being retired. These aircraft will be fitted with autonomous flight systems, advanced sensors, and high-speed data links, enabling them to operate without a pilot onboard. The upgraded systems will allow the jets to independently plan missions, identify threats, and make immediate decisions during flight. Advanced equipment like Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, infrared sensors, and electronic warfare tools will be installed to help the aircraft detect and engage targets accurately, even in complex combat scenarios.
This ambitious effort represents a move towards Level 5 autonomy, where aircraft can complete missions entirely independently. The technologies developed through this program are expected to directly contribute to future projects, including sixth-generation fighter aircraft and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) such as the Ghatak stealth drone. By enabling jets to make decisions autonomously, India’s armed forces will gain a strategic advantage in terms of speed, efficiency, and safety during operations.
Developing autonomous flight systems is a major technical challenge. Integrating modern sensors, secure communication systems, and real-time decision-making algorithms into older prototypes requires meticulous planning and engineering. Despite these hurdles, DRDO and ADA’s previous successes, including the development of Astra missiles and the Uttam AESA radar, provide confidence that this project will succeed.
The program is expected to be implemented over the next five to seven years. Once Tejas production is complete around 2030–32, these autonomous test aircraft will be used to refine the technology further. In the long run, this initiative will position India among the leading countries in autonomous aerial warfare, giving the Indian Air Force a fleet of highly capable, technologically advanced aircraft for future combat scenarios.
