Adding a glorious chapter to India’s Defence capabilities, the indigenously-built light Combat Aircraft (lCA) Tejas joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Bengaluru on Friday.
The lCA, that was christened Tejas (radiance in Sanskrit) by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, would replace the ageing MiG-21s in the IAF’s fleet.
At the induction ceremony in Bengaluru’s Aircraft System Testing Establishment, Air Marshal Jasbir Walia, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command, handed over two Tejas aircraft to the 45 Squadron known as “Flying Daggers.’’ This squadron was formed in 1957 and took part in the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan.
Sporting the IAF’s colours, the single-engine aircraft soared to the sky marking the raising of the first squadron of Tejas in the IAF at a ceremony preceded by inter-faith prayers.
The first Tejas aircraft, the smallest and lightest of its class, was flown by Commanding Officer Group Captain Madhav Rangachari for a sortie for about seven minutes at the induction ceremony. It was given water cannon salute on landing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the induction of Tejas as a matter of “unparalleled pride and happiness.”
“Induction of indigenously-made Tejas fighter jet into the Air Force fills our hearts with unparalleled pride & happiness,” he tweeted.
“Moment of National pride. Indigenously-developed Tejas fighter jet inducted into Air Force. Tejas will take our air strength to new heights,” Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar tweeted.
Air Officer Commanding-in Chief, Southern Air Command, Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and HAl Chairman Suvarna Raju were also present.
After the IAF gives the final clearance, a total of 120 of these multi-role supersonic aircraft will be inducted over a span of four to five years. As of now 20 Tejas are ready to fly.
The IAF said that the idea was to have a total of six aircraft this financial year and about eight in the next and by 2018 the full complement of 20 aircraft. All squadrons of Tejas will be made up of 20 planes, including four in reserve.
As per the plan, 20 would be inducted under the “Initial Operational Clearance” and another 20 later with Beyond Visual Range Missile (BVR) and certain other features. The IAF plans to induct over 80 aircraft with better specifications known as Tejas 1A.
The upgraded version of Tejas, with Active Electrically Scanned Array Radar, Unified Electronic Warfare Suite, mid-air refuelling capacity and advanced BVRs, will cost between Rs 275-crore and Rs 300-crore.
The new aircraft will perform the role of an interceptor to track down an enemy aircraft in Indian airspace. Moreover, Tejas will carry out close air support missions for Army units fighting on the ground.
The naval version of Tejas is also in the last stages of development and at least 50 fighter jets will be part of India’s aircraft carriers including INS Vikramaditya, INS Viraat and the under-production warship INS Vikrant.
Tejas, a replacement for MiG 21s, has been designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and produced by HAl. Termed as the fourth plus generation aircraft, the lCA has flown more than 3,000 sorties or 2,000 hours till date.
Citing the induction as an important moment for the IAF, Air Marshal Jasbir Wali said, “It is a milestone with regard to indigenisation and self-reliance.”
The idea of an indigenous fighter aircraft was born in the 1970s, but actual work on the project started only in the 1980s. However, the first test flight took place in January 2001 only and the project came in for criticism over the long delay.
HAl chairman Suvarna Raju said it was a great moment as the project had overcome various obstacles.”People say that we have taken a long time, but when you have no product of this nature, no support anywhere, and in addition we were put on restrictions by the countries which are advanced, we could, our people and scientists and flyers could develop this product,” he said.
International sanctions after nuclear tests by India in 1998 and inadequate development of aerospace industry in the country were seen as the cause for delay in lCA project, besides alleged change of goalposts by the IAF.
last year, the Tejas project came under severe criticism from the CAG, which pointed out that its Mark-I version has 53 ‘significant shortfalls’ which have reduced its operational capabilities as well as survivability.
Rangachari, said it was an, “excellent aircraft and we hope to get more such aircraft from HAl.”
He said the aircraft can carry at least 4 tonnes of payloads or bombs and drop them on enemy territory. It is capable of attaining 1.6 times the speed of sound (1.6 mach). Noting that he maintained minimum speed of 120 knots on Friday, Rangachari said the aircraft can go even further down to 100 knots. “It is low as compared to any other contemporary fighter in the world.”
Dr S Christopher, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Director Genreal ADA said, “The lCA programme has been unique in bringing together stakeholders and partners within and outside the country. Team Tejas is today proud that an idea of the late 1980s is today turning into a reality.”
Cartoon by Nirjhar Som