Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has finally been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) today. IAF has raised the first squadron of Tejas with the induction of two aircraft into the force and plans to put the LCA in combat role by 2017.
Two LCA Tejas have been handed over by HAL to ‘Flying Daggers’ 45, the name of the first squadron of the LCA.
The induction comes at a time when IAF desperately needs replacement for its MiG 21s. IAF has a depleting fighter aircraft strength, and while Tejas has been designed for only light combat, it will nevertheless provide a much needed boost to the air force.
Tejas is said to be the world’s smallest lightweight, multi-role single engine tactical fighter aircraft. It is a single engined, light weight, highly agile, multi-role supersonic fighter.
Also check: Tejas: 10 special facts and images of the LCA
The combat aircraft uses fourth generation technologies and has intentionally been made longitudinally unstable to enhance manoeuvrability. Tejas is equipped with a quadruplex digital fly-by-wire flight control system to ease handling by the pilot.
Last month, IAF chief Arup Raha had his first sortie in the Tejas, after which he called it a “good aircraft for induction”. “It is my first sortie in Tejas, it is a good aircraft for induction into IAF operations,” Raha said.
Tejas has been developed in multiple variants – single-seat fighter and twin seat trainer variants – for IAF and Indian Navy. Tejas is being inducted into the IAF after being years decades into making.
Meanwhile, Swedish defence major Saab is in talks with HAL for helping India make the next generation version of the LCA Tejas.