IAF wants to induct 120 Tejas

Short of fighter jets, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday said, it was ready for large-scale induction of the old-generation Tejas, provided the manufacturers improve some features and ramp up the production level.

The IAF is ready to take about 120 Tejas in the present configuration with some improvements in the radar, missile, refuelling and electronic warfare system. “We will induct them in the present shape in large number and not insisting on the Mark-II version,” IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha said in his annual media interaction.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Aeronautical Development Agency have prepared a road map on these shortcomings which would be addressed in a time-bound manner. “We may have four-six Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) by 2016 end to raise the first Tejas squadron,” he said.

IAF officials said LCA Tejas is superior to China-made JF-17 aircraft, which will be used by the Pakistani Air Force.

The immediate priority is to rectify the flaws of Tejas so that it could be inducted quickly to make up for the dwindling strength. The development of Tejas-Mk II with an improved engine, for which the government sanctioned Rs 2,431 crore, would continue on a parallel track.

Raha said acquiring only 36 Rafale aircraft from France would not serve the IAF’s requirement as the service needs at least six squadrons of medium multirole combat aircraft. “We are short of our authorised strength and need to replace many more (fighter) squadrons,” he said.

A Comptroller and Auditor General report, tabled in Parliament in May, pointed out several flaws of the home-made jet because of which it will face hurdles in defeating the enemy.

Subsequently, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar informed Parliament about three major shortcomings of LCA Tejas Mark-1, including the maintainability issues. The indigenous aircraft is under development for close to 25 years at an expense of more than Rs 8,000 crore.