Indian Air Force Set to Receive First Tejas Mk 1A Fighter Jet by October
Stage is getting set for the delivery of the long-awaited Light Combat Aircraft `Tejas’ Mk 1A combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) next month.
This marks a crucial step in addressing the IAF’s dwindling fighter jet inventory. The Tejas Mk 1A, an advanced version of the LCA, is poised to enhance the IAF’s capabilities with its modernized features and improved performance.
Sources within the defence and security establishment have confirmed that the necessary modifications to the Israeli software integrated into the Tejas have been finalized, and the aircraft is undergoing final trials.
Category B Engines
However, the first aircraft will initially be delivered with Category B engines. These engines are either previously used or retained from earlier agreements with General Electric (GE) for the Tejas series. New General Electric F404-IN20 engines, which are critical for the aircraft’s optimal performance, are expected to arrive starting in November.
As reported previously by Financial Express Online, the delay in engine delivery was addressed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his recent visit to Washington, which led to a revised schedule from GE.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-run aerospace manufacturer responsible for producing the Tejas, initially planned to commence deliveries in March, following a contract signed in February 2021. However, as reported earlier, the first flight of the Tejas Mk 1A only occurred in March this year, necessitating additional trials before the aircraft could be handed over to the IAF. Consequently, the delivery has been postponed by at least four months due to software changes requested by the IAF.
Timeline of the Delays
The Tejas program has faced numerous delays since its inception in 1983. The original goal was to introduce the aircraft by 1994, but the first prototype only took to the skies in 2001. The Tejas received initial operational clearance in December 2013, and the IAF accepted its first operational aircraft in 2019. Of the 40 Tejas aircraft initially ordered, four are still pending delivery.
Following an agreement with IAF in 2015 when Manohar Parrikar was the defence minister the Tejas Mk 1A was introduced. The Mk 1A version includes significant upgrades over its predecessor, including an advanced electronic radar, enhanced communication systems, the capability to deploy Beyond Visual Range Missiles, and improved maintenance features. The IAF has also expressed interest in acquiring an additional 97 Mk 1A aircraft.
In view of the growing delays, in an effort to meet future demands, the IAF has proposed a public-private partnership (PPP) model to establish additional production lines for the Tejas. Recently, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary has stressed the need to expand production capabilities to match the IAF’s requirements. The plan involves diversifying production lines and exploring joint ventures with private sector partners to support the induction of nearly 300 Tejas variants over the next fifteen years.
This strategic move aims to bolster the IAF’s fighter fleet while fostering collaboration between public and private sectors in India’s aerospace industry.
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