Make in India Energetic Political Drive for Development and Integration of Indigenous Fighters

 

Prime Minister Modi's recent journey aboard the twin-seat variant of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft underscores the vigorous political commitment to developing and integrating indigenous fighters. The Tejas, in its various versions, is poised to take center stage in the air force, replacing aging jets such as the MiG-21. While the initial years of Tejas development faced technical challenges and a lukewarm reception in the Indian Air Force (IAF), the landscape changed with China emerging as India's primary strategic adversary and the disruption caused by the Ukraine war to foreign defense supply chains.

As one of the world's largest defense importers, India confronts the triple challenge of ensuring advanced combat capabilities, establishing resilient supply chains impervious to external geopolitical disruptions, and addressing China's escalating assertiveness. This is precisely where the Tejas assumes paramount importance. With the air force currently operating at 31 squadrons, falling short of the required 42 to effectively counter the combined China-Pakistan challenge, the urgency for accelerated Tejas production becomes evident. Presently, the production rate stands at a sluggish eight fighters per year. Of the initial order for 40 Tejas Mark-1 jets, scheduled for completion by December 2016, only 32 single-seat fighters and two of the eight twin-seat trainers have been delivered thus far.

Additionally, another 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets are in the pipeline for delivery by 2028, alongside 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighters awaiting acquisition approval. Furthermore, the development of the advanced Tejas Mark-2, boasting enhanced range and weapons payload, is underway, featuring the American GE-414 engine with an 80% transfer of technology to be manufactured in India.

The challenge with Tejas now lies not in securing advanced orders but in significantly enhancing Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) production rate to meet targets and safeguard the air force's combat capabilities. Another crucial aspect for Indian defense manufacturing to address is safety and servicing. Malaysia's recent preference for the South Korean FA-50 over the Tejas for its air force was influenced by HAL's lackluster safety record, particularly in the context of accidents involving the Advanced Light Helicopter exported to Ecuador. With the Tejas poised to be the air force's mainstay, there is an optimistic outlook that quality and spare parts will meet required standards, instilling confidence among potential foreign buyers.