Table of Contents
IAF AND TEJAS
- The IAF’s ‘Flying Daggers’ squadron at Sulur has till now inducted only 16 of the original 40 Tejas Mark-1 fighters, which were all slated for delivery by December 2016 under two contracts worth Rs 8,802 crore inked earlier.
- The 83 Tejas Mark-1A fighters are slated to have 43 “improvements” over the Mark-1 jets to improve maintainability, AESA (active electronically scanned array) radar to replace existing mechanically-steered radar, air-toair refuelling, long-range missiles and advanced electronic warfare to jam enemy radars and missiles.
TEJAS – THE NEED
- India has a hostile neighbourhood
- China started manufacturing a range of aircrafts
- Down to just 30 fighter squadrons (each has 18 jets) when at least 42 are required for the requisite deterrence against Pakistan and China, the IAF is banking upon the long-delayed light combat aircraft Tejas to make up the free fall in numbers.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
- The biggest deal in the indigenous military aviation sector has been finalised, much to the relief of the Indian Air Force in February 2020
HAL TEJAS
- Manufacturer – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited For a very long time negotiations were on with HAL about the price of Tejas
NEGOTIATIONS
- It was in November 2016 that the Defence Acquisitions Council had first approved the procurement of 83 Tejas jets at a cost of Rs 49,797 crore.
- But HAL had responded with a quote of around Rs 56,500 crore, which led to protracted cost negotiations.
THE DEAL
- HAL, for instance, was even charging profit on imported components. Item by item, the cost was brought down.
- IAF also cut down some of its support requirements
FOR EXAMPLE
ASTRA (MISSILE)
- Operational range 150 km (93 mi) in head-on chase and 50 km (31 mi) in tail chase
Meteor (missile)
- Range well in excess of 150 kilometres Its no-escape zone of over 60 km is largest among air-to-air missiles according to the manufacturer.
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