HAL has offered its clearest public glimpse yet into the Tejas Mk1A’s radar integration by unveiling the aircraft’s front-end mounting structure for the Israeli ELM-2052 AESA radar. Although the company has not released technical details, the newly published footage reveals how the radar will be installed inside the nose section and provides fresh insights into the size of the antenna.
The exposed forward fuselage, shown without the radome, highlights the radar support bracket, avionics compartment, and structural framework. Even without the radar fitted, the mounting geometry suggests an antenna diameter of around 620–680 mm, indicating that the Tejas Mk1A is designed to accommodate one of the larger fighter-class AESA radar apertures.
The radar installation appears to provide ample room for transmit/receive modules, RF electronics, power conditioning equipment, and liquid-cooling systems essential for high-performance AESA operation. Engineering assessments based on the available installation space indicate the radar could incorporate approximately 1,100–1,300 radiating elements, although the final configuration will depend on the chosen antenna architecture and packaging technology.
The mounting assembly is designed to ensure precise antenna alignment, withstand operational vibration and aerodynamic stresses, and facilitate maintenance throughout the aircraft’s service life. The reveal coincides with the Tejas Mk1A’s ongoing integration of advanced avionics, including the ELM-2052 AESA radar, an upgraded electronic warfare suite, enhanced mission computers, and modern cockpit displays. While HAL has not officially confirmed the radar’s specifications, the available evidence points to a substantially larger radar aperture than previously estimated, with current figures remaining engineering projections rather than verified data.
