On Wednesday the Ministry of Defense approved purchases of 83 Advanced version indigenous Tejas Mark 1 fighter planes. Tejas Mark 2 is expected to be in the Indian Air Force fleet by 2026.
Crux of the Matter
Fighter Deal Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mark 2 is jointly developed by DRDO’s Aircraft Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It will replace IAF’s aging fourth-generation multi-role fighters like MiG-21, SEPECAT Jaguar and Dassault Mirage-2000. Earlier Ministry of Defense had placed an order of 40 Tejas Mark 1 planes for the Indian Navy. On Wednesday it approved the purchase of another 83 Tejas Mark 1 fighter planes at a deal size of approximately Rs. 37,000 crores, increasing the tally of Tejas planes to 123. The government also approved Rs. 1,300 crores for aerial fuses and twin-dome simulators for the IAF’s Hawk trainer aircraft.
Air Vice Marshal N Tiwari, Project Director, National Flight Test Centre, ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was very happy with flying quality of the aircraft (LCA Tejas). We went close to Mark 1, the speed of sound. pic.twitter.com/Jl2sVcMdFI — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2019
Mark 2 in Production The government also announced the production of Tejas Mark 2 fighter jets that are expected to be rolled out by 2022, and join the Air Force by 2026. It will have advanced capabilities to launch multiple kinds of missiles and guided-bombs ranging from supersonic Brahmos Missile and BVR Missiles to DRDO Glide Bombs. It will have increased range and speed which will enable it to compete easily with any other next-generation fighter planes.
More Power for Balakots IAF had used mirage-2000 and MiG-21 in absence of advance fighter jets to execute the Balakot strike. But now Tejas Mark 2 with its long-range and multi-role capacity will take lead in such airstrike missions. In the coming years, this next-gen fighter jet is expected to become the backbone of the Indian Air Force.
Curiopedia
Beyond-Visual-Range missile (BVR) – A beyond-visual-range missile (BVR) is an air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) that is capable of engaging at ranges of 20 nmi (37 km) or beyond. This range has been achieved using dual pulse rocket motors or booster rocket motor and ramjet sustainer motor. In addition to the range capability, the missile must also be capable of tracking its target at this range or of acquiring the target in flight. Systems in which a mid-course correction is transmitted to the missile have been used. More Info
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