IAF to Induct Six Squadrons of Tejas
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Each squadron will have 20 aircraft and will replace the ageing Russian-made MiG-21 fleet the IAF will phase out gradually. The squadrons will be based at Sulur Air Force Base near Coimbatore in southern Tamil Nadu. "The IAF requirement will go up to 200. The Mark-1 will be fitted with GE-404 engines and Mark-II GE-414 engine. As this aircraft meets the staff requirement of the IAF, it has accepted it. Improvements to the aircraft have enhanced its flight envelope and its weapon delivery capability," Antony said. Indian Air Force chief N.A.K. Browne said the IAF pilots will start flying Tejas from Saturday over the next 12 months for its FOC by December 2014.
Noting LCA has become a reality, Antony said that the next 12 months will be critical for all the stakeholders for the FOC. "They (defence agencies) have to do a lot. If they can do up this, they are capable of producing the most modern fighting aircraft, as only five-six countries have such a capability," he said. The state-run Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (Cemilac) are the defence agencies which have designed, developed, manufactured and certified the world's lightest and smallest combat jet.
"The Kaveri engine is under development. It will take time. At the moment, we are using GE engines. Kaveri project is not abandoned. We can make it. Indigenisation of an aero-engine takes time. We have plan for that. If we can make aircraft like the LCA, warships, tanks and missiles, we can also make aero-engines," Antony said. [via]
