32 years on, HAL finally hands over Tejas to IAF; induction still far away

BENGALURU: After a 32-year wait, the Indian Air Force ( IAF) received first series production version of the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas (LCA-SP1) on Saturday. Its induction into a fighting squadron will take longer.

The IAF, sources said, is looking to raise first squadron with a fleet of six to eight LCAs. Given the inadequate number of aircraft, this cannot be done before 2016.

A squadron, according to a retired Air Marshal, generally comprises 18 pilots. It has a service aircraft, a standby platform and a trainer. "However, the number could vary depending on the aircraft and other variables."

Sources said neither the SP-1 nor the SP-2 will make it to a fighting squadron; versions from the SP-3 and later will be considered.

HAL chairman R K Tyagi, however, told STOI: "...The SP-1 has been handed over to the IAF by the defence minister. They have accepted the aircraft. Where but in the squadrons is its place?"

The SP1, which first flew in October 2014, has had only five flights and needs more hours before induction. Also, an initial operational clearance (IOC) configuration without the latest electronic warfare suite, long-range missile capabilities and mid-air refuelling means there may be further improvements required before it is finally inducted into a squadron.

Saturday's ceremony was only symbolic, according to sources. "India can truly claim the LCA as a success only after the aircraft get commissioned into a squadron," the Air Marshal said.

The IAF has placed an initial order of 40 aircraft, 20 of which will be in the IOC configuration. HAL can produce eight aircraft a year."After the second one reaches the IAF in March, the remaining six will be delivered before March 31, 2016; three out of these six will reach the IAF before June this year," Tyagi said.

The cost of one SP-standard LCA could touch about Rs 160 crore, thanks to the delays; an earlier estimation was about Rs 120 crore.

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar and chief of air staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha were in Bengaluru for a meeting of the committee that looks into the progress of LCA.

While there was no news on what happened at the closed-door meeting, sources said the handing-over ceremony was squeezed into Parrikar's schedule.