An air-born LCA Tejas fighter aircraft.
The central government on Tuesday turned down the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) request to expand the deal to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation, an official said here.
With the policy to encourage the ‘Make In India’, the government decided to be dependent on India’s first indigenous fighter jet Tejas, the light combat aircraft (LCA) which is already delayed by decaded for its induction in the IAF.
The move came as a blow for the French defence manufacturer as well as the aviation lobby in the India. The decision was made at the high-time when the IAF is in its weakest operational strength since the 1962 India-China war.
The IAF initially requested for 126 medium multi-role fighter aircrafts (MMRCA) but it ended up as a 36-jet deal with France. Later, the IAF urged government to clear 44 additional Rafale fighter jets from the Dassault Aviations.
However, rejecting the proposal defence minister Manohar Parrikar said that there are not enough funds to expand the acquisition of more jets. The IAF will get Tejas-Mark 1A, the indigenous aircrafts to fulfil its combat strength.
Now, the government will buy only 36 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviations.
Given the resource and other available options at this stage, the LCA is the best fighter jet for the IAF, a defence official reportedly said.
Pertinent to mention that Rafale is the most expensive fighter jet India is about to induct in the air force. On other side, the LCA is the cheapest one.
The IAF had said that it requires 45 fighter squadrons to fight “two-front collusive threat” from the neighbouring threats, a report said. However, at present the IAF has only 35 active squadrons.
With the retirement of the Soviet-era MiG 21 aircrafts, the IAF will have only 25 squadrons by the end of 2022, a report said.
The biggest concern of the IAF is the slow-induction-speed of the Tejas. The LCA project was first introduced in 1982-83 by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and was expected to be commissioned by 1994. However, it suffered the massive delay of almost two decades. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the manufacturer of the LCA project could produce only one aircraft so far and that too is awaiting for the final clearance from the IAF.
According to the report, the clearance will be issued probably by 2016.
CAG report raised questions on safety factors
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India had pointed out 53 shortfalls in LCA Mark-I that may reduce its survivability and operational efficiency. The LCA are expected to replace the MiG-21.
Delay Affects Expenditure
An air-born MiG 21 during regular shorty.
At present, apart from combat operations, the MiG-21 works as basic interceptors for the IAF which takes-off within few minutes after receiving any emergency call.
But the delay led to expenditure of huge amount on the upgradation of fleet of MiG-21 (which is now known as MiG-21 Bison) while Dassault Aviation’s Mirage 2000 aircrafts are still under the upgradation process.
According to the report of the CAG, the government spent around Rs 20,307 crore to upgrade the existing planes.
Compromising
The IAF is compromising with lives of the brave fighter pilots who have been flying the dangerous and outdated MiG-21s.