THE TEJAS AND TEJAS MK1A: HAL HAS TO DELIVER

The Tejas project is a litmus test of the ability of Indian designers and production agencies to produce a viable combat aircraft, argues SANJAY BADRI-MAHARAJ

- SANJAY-BADRI MAHARAJ

On the opening day of Aero India-2021, the Indian government and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) finally signed the long-awaited contract for 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, an upgraded variant of the Tejas Mk1. Ten of these aircraft will be trainers while 73, equating to some four squadrons will be single-seaters. However, it should be noted that HAL has not completed delivery of its original order of 32 Tejas Mk.1 aircraft and eight trainers. This despite the first squadron of the type being formed nearly five years ago.

The Mk.1 saga

On July 1, 2016, No. 45 Squadron of the Indian Air Force (IAF) inducted the first two Serial Production models of the Tejas Mk.1 Light Combat Aircraft. More than a year has since elapsed since these first aircraft were inducted and they have now been joined by three more with a sixth scheduled to join shortly. Built to IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) standards, these aircraft are the first of 20 destined for No. 45 squadron while an additional 20 will be built to FOC (Final Operation Clearance) standard. Steady but somewhat slow progress is was made towards achieving FOC with the Tejas Mk.1 crossing a major milestone on May 12, 2017 when aircraft LSP-4 successfully fired a fully-guided Derby Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile with gun trials being repeatedly delayed. However, the first FOC aircraft were delivered in 2019-2020