The Light Combat Aircraft TEJAS and its future derivatives will be the backbone of the Indian Air Force, according to the Defence Ministry on Friday.
The Ministry of Defence said on Friday (June 30) that the Light Combat Aircraft TEJAS and its future variants will be the basis of the Indian Air Force and that deliveries of the TEJAS MK-1A are planned to begin in February 2024. According to the Ministry, the new type of indigenously made jet will be able to fire a variety of weaponry, including beyond-visual-range missiles.
‘New Variant Will Be Capable of Firing A Plethora of Weapons’
The IAF’s confidence in the TEJAS is borne out by its order for 83 TEJAS MK-1A with updated avionics, an Active Electronically Steered Radar, an updated Electronic Warfare suite, and a Beyond Visual Range missile capability. The new variant will be able to fire a variety of weapons from greater stand-off ranges, Many of these weapons will be indigenous in origin.
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Egypt, Argentina, the United States, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have expressed interest in purchasing TEJAS aircraft. TEJAS was designed to perform air defence, marine reconnaissance, and strike missions. According to the Ministry, TEJAS provides worry-free handling and better manoeuvrability, which is boosted by its multi-mode airborne radar, helmet-mounted display, self-protection suite, and laser designation pod.
Flying Daggers: First Air Force Squadron to Induct TEJAS
The TEJAS was originally inducted into an IAF squadron, the ‘Flying Daggers’. “Over the years, the squadron progressed from Vampires to Gnats, then to the MiG-21 Bis, before receiving its current steed.” Each of the aircraft flown by the Flying Daggers was built in India, either through licence production or through in-house design and development. The No 18 Squadron became the second IAF unit to use the TEJAS in May 2020, according to the Ministry.
The IAF has displayed the aircraft in different foreign events, including LIMA-2019 in Malaysia, Dubai Air Show-2021, Sri Lanka Air Force anniversary celebrations in 2021, Singapore Air Show-2022, and Aero India Shows from 2017 to 2023. While the TEJAS has previously participated in domestic exercises with foreign air forces, Ex-Desert Flag in the United Arab Emirates in March 2023 was the TEJAS’ first exercise on foreign land.
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