Tejas Mk-I shortcomings addressed in Mk-II version: Manohar Parrikar

Economictimes.com; Smriti Jain & Tarun Bhardwaj

Tejas, India's first indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), which is all set to replace the MiG-21 series, is a result of several years of design and development work from the DRDO.

What's special about India's own LCA? How does it rate on the global scale? We take a look at some lesser-known salient facts about the Tejas that set it apart from those in its league....Also watch Tejas in action towards the end of the slideshow:

DRDO is developing four versions of the LCA; namely LCA for Air Force, LCA trainer for Air Force, LCA for Navy and LCA Navy Trainer. DRDO has also developed a special facility in Goa, that mimics the conditions for a Tejas for Navy landing, take-off and manoeuvre from an aircraft carrier.

Image by DRDO

While the Indian Air Force will induct Mark-I type Tejas LCA, a demand for Mark-II type Tejas has already been raised, which the DRDO is working on. The Mark-II type Tejas aircraft will have a higher capacity.

Image by DRDO

DRDO's Gupta said that the Tejas has many features of stealth fighter aircraft. "The wings are made entirely of composite structures. The contemporary aircraft has a totally digital fly-by-wire control system," he said.

Image by DRDO

The Tejas also incorporates a 'glass cockpit' in which information is displayed 'real-time' to the pilot. "Tejas also has open architecture software for avionics. DRDO can update it as and when required," said Gupta citing the same as a big plus point of the aircraft.

Image by DRDO

Asked about the much-talked about 'delay' in developing of the aircraft, Gupta said, "It was only in 1993 that the proposal for development of Tejas was submitted. The maiden flight of Tejas took place in 2001. It took a total of 20 years from 1993 to 2013. This time period is the standard required by any country, even the most advanced ones," he said.

Image by DRDO

Tejas, which is a single seater, single engine aircraft had to undergo multiple levels of testing, before it was finally declared ready. "An aircraft has of fly 'n' number of times, in different conditions and environments, and at different angles of attack before it is declared fit," Gupta said.

In 2013 alone, the Tejas has taken over 450 test flights.

Image by DRDO

The Tejas LCA Air Force versions have till date cost the DRDO approximately Rs 7,000 crore. According to Gupta this is a 'very small fraction' compared to the cost of other similar aircrafts in the world.

The production of aircraft is already underway and two aircraft of the production version of Tejas should be ready by the first half of 2014.

With a 'complete' ecosystem to design and build indigenous aircraft in place, the DRDO is now working on making advanced medium combat aircraft with twin engines.

Image by DRDO

Tejas Mk-I shortcomings addressed in Mk-II version: Manohar Parrikar

The maintainability issues were raised by the Indian Air Force late in 2009, when design and drawings were already frozen for Mk-I.

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