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Tejas Program: The Indian Air Force has played a decisive role during Operation Sindoor. The country is going to need advanced type of fighter aircraft in future. Already Air Force fighter is struggling with squadron deficiency …Read more
Tejas’s advanced version will start soon
Highlights
- HAL prepared 6 LCA MK 1A fighter jets.
- PMO reviewed the Tejas program.
- Delivery of General Electric Engine began.
Project late due to delay of engine
India’s fighter aircraft program was still running slow, but now it is gaining momentum. The engine that was waiting for the engine for two years is now ending. Delivery of General Electric Engine has started. Principal Secretary Dr. Mishra also saw F404-In20 during his visit. This was the first time a glimpse of this engine appeared. The engine deal for India’s Tejas Mark 1A program was done in the year 2021 with the American engine manufacturer General Electric (GE). Under this deal, a total of 99 F404 engines are to be supplied to India. This program was implicated due to non -commencement of engine delivery from the company. The Indian Air Force chief also expressed displeasure due to lack of fighter.
While starting the delivery of the General Electric Engine, the statement was issued that ‘We were excited to deliver the first engine out of the 99 F404-Indian engines for LCA Tejas. In 2004, F404-IN20 was selected for Tejas. By 2016, all 65 engines had been delivered to India. The production line was closed due to lack of second order. But in the year 2021, the order of 99 engine came from HAL, then the production line was resumed. In Aero India 2025, HAL’s CMD made it clear that 12 more engines will be found in this calendar year. By the year 2031, 83 Tejas Mark 1A has been claimed.
Fighter shortage will be complete
Tejas has three variants-the first is Tejas Mark-1, Tejas Mark 1A and Tejas Trainer Aircraft. Work on the fourth variant i.e. Tejas Mark-2, which is the most advanced version, is going on. There is a complete focus on indigenous Tejas to meet the existing fighter squadron deficiency. Currently, around 40 aircraft have joined the Indian Air Force fleet. Two squadrons have been installed so far. HAL has been tied up for 83 Tejas MK-1A. Due to lack of engine availability, not a single delivery has started yet. The purchase of 97 additional Tejas MK-1A has already been approved by the Defense Procurement Council. Apart from this, work on Tejas MK-2 is going on fast. About 120 aircraft are to be taken.
Many indigenous programs of aerospace also reviewed
Dr. Mishra also reviewed the second indigenous aircraft of HAL, including Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachanda, Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Light Advanced Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT-40). He was welcomed by HAL’s Aerospace Division by Isro Chairman Dr. V Narayanan, here he saw GSLV MK 3 and PSLV’s assembly shop. Apart from this, the Principal Secretary also reviewed the preparations for HAL for the Gaganyaan Mission. According to HAL, Dr. Mishra also inspected the integrated cryogenic engine manufacturing facility.
