Deal to buy 97 more Tejas aircraft green-lighted, 156 helicopters also approved

Tejas Aircraft Deal: An important decision has been taken by the government to increase the military strength of India. In a major boost to military and defense manufacturing in India, the DAC meeting approved the purchase of 97 Tejas aircraft and 156 massive attack helicopters. Both the aircraft are indigenously developed and the deal value is pegged at Rs 1.1 lakh crore. Tejas Mark 1-A fighter planes are being procured for the Indian Air Force and helicopters are being procured for the Air Force and the Army. With this approval, this is the largest order for an indigenous manufacturer in India's history.

2024 will include 83 Tejas jets

Two squadrons of Tejas Mk1 jets are already operated by the Indian Air Force, including 20 squadrons in initial and final operational clearance variants. Following the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by Prime Minister Modi, a US$6 billion order for 83 LCA MK1A variants was placed with HAL in February 2021, with delivery expected by 2024. These will be used to replace the Soviet-era MiG-21s of the 1960s. 83 to buy Tejas Rs. 46,898 crore contract has been signed and now the Air Force is planning to buy 97 more Tejas jet aircraft. If approved, the proposal will include 180 Tejas jets.

Tejas will become an important part of the Air Force in the coming time

The 83-jet order also includes seven trainer variants of the LCA Mk1A. Thus, this set of Tejas aircraft will be enough to equip at least four fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force. Tejas aircraft are sufficient for another five fighter squadrons with the approval to purchase 97 Tejas jets. Thus, the Tejas will form an important part of the Indian Air Force's combat power in the coming years, with at least ten indigenous fighter jets operating out of the 42 sanctioned fighter squadrons.

Many countries are ready to buy Tejas jets

Countries like Argentina, Nigeria, Philippines and Egypt are interested in buying the Tejas jets, in which HAL is exploring the possibility of exporting the Tejas. The country is very impressed with the features of the Tejas, but no deal has been finalized from any country yet. Argentina's Defense Minister Jorge Tena reviewed the features of the Tejas jet at HAL. However, there are reports that Argentina is more impressed with South America's F-16s and may even make a deal for them.

Characteristics of Tejas

- Has aluminum, lithium alloy, carbon fiber composite and titanium alloy steel body

- Tejas is a light weight fighter aircraft

- It weighs 6560 kg and flies at a speed of Mach 1.6

- Requires less space for landing and take off

- It is effective in air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks due to the radar installed in it

- It can work in all types of weather and 50 percent of its spare parts are made in India.

Features a giant helicopter

- This helicopter is developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

- It can carry many types of missiles and weapons.

- Unguided bombs and grenade launchers can also be installed in helicopters.

- A light combat helicopter can fly continuously for 3 hours 10 minutes at a time.

- It can go up to a height of 6500 feet.

- The enormous helicopter can fly at a speed of 268 km per hour.

- It has a range of 550 km.

- The length of this helicopter is 51.10 feet and height is 15.5 feet.

- The use of some weapons has already been tested by this twin-engine helicopter.