Indian Air Force pushes for indigenisation, eager to induct 100 LCA Tejas fighters

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: In a significant push for indigenous fighters, the Indian Air Force is engaged on a proposal to induct the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

Sources confirmed that the IAF is eager on inducting near 100 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighters for which a plan is being labored out throughout the air power.

The proposal is to be introduced earlier than the federal government subsequently.

This IAF plan is to extend the profile of indigenous fight platforms. It is a part of a long run plan to not solely add sources for HAL to maintain its meeting traces alive but in addition add extra indigenously manufactured fight methods, sources added.

These plane will change the ageing squadrons of MiG 21 fighter jets.

Once this order is accomplished within the stipulated 15 years, the IAF can have 40 LCA, over 180 LCA Mark-1A and at the very least 120 LCA Mark-2 planes.

The choice adopted the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari’s overview of the standing of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme on the Air Headquarters on Wednesday. Also in attendance had been senior functionaries from the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, HAL and ADA.

ALSO READ | LCA Tejas efficiently test-fires ASTRA

The Air Force chief had introduced out that the LCA has been the flag bearer of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) efforts in direction of indigenisation of its plane fleet. Given the character of this challenge of nationwide significance, it’s required that every one stakeholders undertake a collaborative method in direction of its success,” he stated.

The first indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was inducted in July 2016. The first IAF Squadron to induct the Tejas was No 45 Squadron, the ‘Flying Daggers’. Over the years, the squadron progressed from Vampires to Gnats after which onto the MiG-21 Bis, earlier than being geared up with Tejas.

Tejas is a multi-role platform designed to undertake the air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles. The LCA Mk-1A can have up to date avionics, in addition to an Active Electronically Steered Radar, up to date Electronic Warfare suite and a Beyond Visual Range missile functionality. The new variant shall be able to firing various weapons from elevated stand-off ranges.

As per the IAF, in the course of the overview, representatives of HAL assured the CAS of the well timed supply of the contracted twin-seaters within the coming months. Further to the LCA Mk 1, 83 LCA Mk-1A plane have additionally been contracted by the IAF in 2021. The Chairman & Managing Director of HAL assured these current that the deliveries of this superior variant of the LCA would start by February 2024.

While complimenting HAL, the Air Force chief indicated that primarily based on these assurances, the LCA Mk 1A might be inducted in a newly raised squadron in one of many IAF’s operational bases, early subsequent 12 months.

“With timely deliveries of the more capable variant, the LCA Mk 1A is likely to see increased deployments at forward bases, besides participation in international exercises in the days to come,” he added.

NEW DELHI: In a significant push for indigenous fighters, the Indian Air Force is engaged on a proposal to induct the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

Sources confirmed that the IAF is eager on inducting near 100 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighters for which a plan is being labored out throughout the air power.

The proposal is to be introduced earlier than the federal government subsequently.googletag.cmd.push(perform() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

This IAF plan is to extend the profile of indigenous fight platforms. It is a part of a long run plan to not solely add sources for HAL to maintain its meeting traces alive but in addition add extra indigenously manufactured fight methods, sources added.

These plane will change the ageing squadrons of MiG 21 fighter jets.

Once this order is accomplished within the stipulated 15 years, the IAF can have 40 LCA, over 180 LCA Mark-1A and at the very least 120 LCA Mark-2 planes.

The choice adopted the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari’s overview of the standing of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme on the Air Headquarters on Wednesday. Also in attendance had been senior functionaries from the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, HAL and ADA.

ALSO READ | LCA Tejas efficiently test-fires ASTRA

The Air Force chief had introduced out that the LCA has been the flag bearer of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) efforts in direction of indigenisation of its plane fleet. Given the character of this challenge of nationwide significance, it’s required that every one stakeholders undertake a collaborative method in direction of its success,” he stated.

The first indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was inducted in July 2016. The first IAF Squadron to induct the Tejas was No 45 Squadron, the ‘Flying Daggers’. Over the years, the squadron progressed from Vampires to Gnats after which onto the MiG-21 Bis, earlier than being geared up with Tejas.

Tejas is a multi-role platform designed to undertake the air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles. The LCA Mk-1A can have up to date avionics, in addition to an Active Electronically Steered Radar, up to date Electronic Warfare suite and a Beyond Visual Range missile functionality. The new variant shall be able to firing various weapons from elevated stand-off ranges.

As per the IAF, in the course of the overview, representatives of HAL assured the CAS of the well timed supply of the contracted twin-seaters within the coming months. Further to the LCA Mk 1, 83 LCA Mk-1A plane have additionally been contracted by the IAF in 2021. The Chairman & Managing Director of HAL assured these current that the deliveries of this superior variant of the LCA would start by February 2024.

While complimenting HAL, the Air Force chief indicated that primarily based on these assurances, the LCA Mk 1A might be inducted in a newly raised squadron in one of many IAF’s operational bases, early subsequent 12 months.

“With timely deliveries of the more capable variant, the LCA Mk 1A is likely to see increased deployments at forward bases, besides participation in international exercises in the days to come,” he added.