Defense Secretary confirms delivery of two Tejas Mk-1A jets from HAL, originally scheduled for September, following delays.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive a much-needed boost with the imminent delivery of two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), as announced by Defence Secretary R K Singh.
The delivery, expected by the end of September, comes at a crucial time when the IAF is looking to address the gap in its fighter squadrons. The number of IAF fighter squadrons has gone down to 31 from the officially sanctioned strength of 42.
The Tejas, a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft, is designed to undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike roles. It is capable of operating in high-threat air environments and is set to replace the IAF's MiG-21 fighters.
However, the delivery of the jets has faced delays primarily due to the US defense major GE Aerospace missing several deadlines for the supply of its aero engines to power the jets. But, it seems that the issue has been resolved as the manufacturer of the aero engines for the additionally ordered 97 Tejas jets is GE Aerospace, which supplies the F404-IN20 engines. The delivery of these engines to HAL has started, enabling HAL to begin delivering the jets.
The Defence Minister has stated that the contract for the additional procurement of Tejas jets will be signed only after HAL delivers two Tejas with a complete package. The government is likely to ink a fresh contract with HAL for procuring an additional batch of 97 Tejas jets after the delivery of the two aircraft. Last week, the government approved an additional batch of 97 Tejas fighters at a cost of around Rs 67,000 crore.
In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF. To further accelerate defence indigenisation, HAL has placed a Rs 600 crore superalloy order with MIDHANI.
The Defence Minister hopes that HAL will be able to perfect the Tejas platform, integrate the radar, and Indian weapons, making it a workhorse for the IAF along with the Sukhoi. The delivery of the first two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets with weapons integration by the end of September is expected to precede the signing of a new contract for the procurement of an additional 97 Tejas jets by the government.
The IAF is eagerly awaiting the induction of these warplanes to strengthen its fighter squadrons and maintain its readiness in the face of evolving security challenges.
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