Python 5 Air to Air Missile.
                     P Y T H O N  5  
A I R  T O  
A I R  
M I S S I L E
Recently, India’s Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft 
Tejas has added capability of firing Israeli-origin 
Python-5 air-to-air missile (AAM) after concluding 
successful tests.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 2
The Defence Research and Development 
Organisation (DRDO), successfully test-fired the 
5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) 
from Tejas aircraft, at Goa. 
5 T H  
G E N E R AT I O N  
P Y T H O N - 5
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 3
This adds the Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) in 
the air-to-air weapons package of India’s 
indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft, 
Tejas.
A I R -T O - A I R  
W E A P O N S  
PA C K A G E
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 4
It has been developed by the Israeli defence 
company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is 
the newest member of the Python family.
D E V E LO P E D  BY
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 5
This fifth-generation air-to-air missile provides 
the pilot engaging an enemy aircraft with a 
revolutionary full sphere launch capability.
E N E M Y  
A I R C R A F T
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 6
It can be launched from very short to beyond-
visual ranges with greater kill probability, excellent 
resistance to countermeasures, irrespective of 
evasive target manoeuvers or deployment of 
countermeasures.
R A N G E
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 7
It is powered by a solid propellant rocket engine. 
The propulsion system provides a speed of Mach 
4 and an operational range of more than 20 km.
R O C K E T  
E N G I N E
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 8
Tejas is a single engined, light weight, highly 
agile, multi-role supersonic fighter. It is designed 
to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface, 
precision-guided, weapons.
L I G H T  C O M B AT  
A I R C R A F T  
T E J A S
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 9
The indigenously-developed aircraft has been 
manufactured at the Hindustan Aeronautics 
Limited (HAL) and designed by the Aeronautical 
Development Agency (ADA) for the Indian Air Force 
and the Indian Navy.
M A N U FA C T U R E
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 10
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated teams of 
DRDO, ADA, Air Force, HAL and all involved in the trial. 
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and DRDO 
chairperson Dr G Satheesh Reddy appreciated the efforts of 
scientists, engineers and technicians from various 
organisations and industry.
A P P R E C I AT I O N
S O U R C E :  W W W . D R I S H T I I A S . C O M 11