India Working On Unmanned Version Of Tejas — India's Fighter Jet Of The Future?

According to the Economic Times (ET), a task group has been constituted to study how to convert the fighter for a futuristic role and work has already started on the project. Aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is also confident that the project can be carried out within a short time frame.

The Tejas has only recently entered service with the Indian Airforce and made its debut at the 2017 Bahrain Air Show where it wowed the watching public.

Recently inducted into the Indian Air Force, two units of the Tejas joined the No. 45 'Flying Daggers' Squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Another 121 Tejas aircraft will join the IAF with a naval version being tested out.

The unmanned Tejas will come into play in cross-border sorties ensuring that pilots won't have to worry about bailing out over enemy territory if under attack.

HAL is also working on an unmanned version of the Chetak helicopter as well a project known as AURA. Project AURA will see a futuristic combat drone that will use a modified version of the Kaveri engine that was supposed to power the Tejas.

Speaking to ET HAL Chief T Suvarna Raju said, "We have started an internal study on making a unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) on the Tejas platform. Besides, we are confident on coming up with an unmanned version of Chetak helicopter as well,"