As per the latest reports and from some of the newspaper sources the armed forces are not in favour of proposed versions of indigenous advanced versions of Light Combat Jet Tejas. The Indian Air Force is yet to give final operation clearance to Tejas, which has been in the development mode from last almost 30 years.
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In July 2017, the IAF inducted the first squadron of home-grown Tejas with two fighter planes joining the force. The squadron named – Flying Daggers 45 – is expected to have its full strength by 2018-2020. However, the IAF is not eager to expand its Tejas unit.The IAF has raised questions over several limitations that the Tejas has. The fighter jet’s limited range and weapon carrying capacity are on top of concerns that the force has pointed out.
The idea for an indigenous fighter aircraft was conceptualised in the 1970s, but actual work on the aircraft project started only in the 1980s. The aircraft was named ‘Tejas’ (meaning radiance in Sanskrit) by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Despite the limitations, the single-engine supersonic TEJAS is far more capable than JF-17 Thunder, the combat jet developed jointly by Pakistan and China. As far as technical specifications are concerned Tejas is way ahead of JF-17 Thunder.
Now let us see the comparison between TEJAS and JF-17 Thunder
- The fly-by-wire technology in Tejas makes it easier for the pilot to manoeuvre the jet while in war mode. The fighter jet can also carry air-to-air, air-to-surface and laser-guided missiles.
- The HAL has fitted Tejas with advanced Israeli radars which is considered to be one of the best in the world. The early warning radar system, which works to alert the pilot of any incoming threat – enemy aircraft or anti-aircraft missile – is developed indigenously.
- The developers at at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) used IAF’s trusted Mirage 2000 as benchmark while developing Tejas. The IAF wants to replace its ageing fleet of MiG-21s and Tejas was considered to fill in the gap.
- The height of Tejas 4.40 metres and its length is 13.20 metres. The wingspan of country’s own combat jet stands at 8.2 metres.
- What makes Tejas an agile bird in the air is its frame. Developers have used carbon fibre in its fuselage which reduces the weight of Tejas. It also helps the fighter jet to absorb enemy radar waves thus adding to its stealth capabilities.
- Whereas JF-17 needs to touchdown every time it needs to refuel, Tejas has the mid-air refueling facility.
- Apart from the mid-air refueling capability, Tejas has bigger fuel tank that JF-17 which means it can operate for a longer period. The capacity of internal fuel tank of Tejas is 2458 kg. In JF-17, it is 2268 kg.
- Tejas needs a runway of as short as 460 metres. On the other hand, the JF-17 requires a minimum 600-metre-long tarmac to take flight.
- Tejas can operate up to a height of 50,000 and can cruise at a top speed of 1350 kmph.
- The glass cockpit of Tejas enables the pilot to read even the minutest of details. The real-time information displayed right in front of his eyes is of great help.
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