Categories: India

India approves four squadrons of Tejas fighter jets—the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the future

India on Wednesday pitched faith in its ability to build advanced homegrown weapons by sanctioning approval for 83 Light Combat Aircraft—Tejas, which will be able to carry out both air defence and strike roles in the neighbourhood.

“The LCA-Tejas is going to be the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter fleet in years to come. LCA-Tejas incorporates a large number of new technologies many of which were never attempted in India. The indigenous content of LCA-Tejas is 50% in Mk1A variant which will be enhanced to 60%” defence minister Rajnath Singh wrote on Twitter.

On the operational side, the deployment of a large number of Tejas fighter jets will add to India’s conventional deterrence along borders with China and Pakistan.

These planes will be able to take on long range missions because of their ability to fuel in mid-air. The will also board Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, which can allow them to safely strike at targets, often without crossing domestic borders. The key to both defence and strike capability is the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, which will be part of the plane’s electronic suite.

The Cabinet has also approved infrastructure development to handle repairs or servicing at their base depots. This will reduce the turnaround time , enabling the plane to remain in the air for longer hours in combat mode.

The Tejas project falls under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. Around 500 Indian companies including MSMEs in the design and manufacturing sectors will be working with HAL to produce the jet.

“The LCA-Tejas programme would act as a catalyst for transforming the Indian aerospace manufacturing ecosystem into a vibrant Atmanirbhar-self-sustaining ecosystem,” Singh tweeted and thanked the Prime Minister for the landmark decision.

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has already set-up second line manufacturing facilities at its Nasik and Bengaluru divisions, the defence minister said, adding, “Equipped with the augmented infrastructure the HAL will steer LCA-Mk1A production for timely deliveries to the IAF.”.

indianarrative

Recent Posts

Pakistan’s passport ranks among world’s weakest, stands 103rd in passport index

Pakistan's passport has been ranked among the weakest in the world, securing the 103rd spot…

5 hours ago

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to chair Ambassadors’ Round Table in New Delhi, tomorrow

As a prelude to Aero India 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will chair the Ambassadors'…

5 hours ago

“Genome India Project marks historic leap in Biotechnology”: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the completion of the Genome India Project as…

6 hours ago

“Several people were also injured…firing on civilians”: BYC on firing by Pakistani forces

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee has condemned the tragic injury of an infant after the escalation…

9 hours ago

UK Parliament hosts forum on genocide and human rights violations in East Turkistan

The UK Parliament's House of Lords on Wednesday hosted a significant event focusing on the…

10 hours ago

Using ‘Xizang’ against Tibetan historical sovereignty, says President of Tibetan Government-in-exile

Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the President of the Tibetan Government In-Exile said on Thursday that the…

10 hours ago