New Delhi (TIP): The PM Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday cleared indigenous defence deal worth Rs 48,000 crores to strengthen Indian Air Force’s fleet of LCA-Tejas fighter jets, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said. This will be the biggest deal ever in the indigenous military aviation sector.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the development on Twitter, saying “the CCS chaired by the PM today approved the largest indigenous defence procurement deal worth about Rs 48,000 crore to strengthen IAF‘s fleet of homegrown fighter jet ‘LCA-Tejas’. This deal will be a game-changer for self-reliance in Indian defence manufacturing.” The defence minister said Tejas is going to be the backbone of the fighter fleet of the Indian Air Force in years to come. Around three years back, the IAF had issued an initial tender for procurement of 83 Tejas aircraft, a four-and-half generation combat jet.

“LCA-Tejas incorporates a large number of new technologies many of which were never attempted in India. The indigenous content of LCA-Tejas is 50 percent in Mk1A variant which will be enhanced to 60 percent,’ Singh said.The defence minister said that aircraft maker Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has already set up second-line manufacturing facilities at its Nasik and Bengaluru divisions.

“Equipped with the augmented infrastructure the HAL will steer LCA-Mk1A production for timely deliveries to the IAF,” he said.

Singh said the Tejas programme would act as a catalyst for transforming the Indian aerospace manufacturing ecosystem into a vibrant, self-sustaining one. “I thank the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi for this historic decision taken by the CCS today, ” the defence minister said.

Tejas More Advanced than China-Pakistan’s

JF-17 Fighter Jets, Better Equipped: IAF chief

Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Thursday, Jan 14,  said the indigenously-developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is far better and more advanced than China’s JF-17 fighter aircraft manufactured by Pakistan’s aeronautical company, adding that the newly added jets will be equipped for Balakot-type airstrikes.

Welcoming the government’s approval to the Rs 48,000 crore deal to procure 83 LCAs from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Chief of Air Staff in an interview to ANI said, “Indian aircraft Tejas is far better and more advanced than the Chinese and Pakistan joint venture JF-17 fighter. It will have top of the line Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of air-to-air missile Astra, and other sensors and weapons.”

On being asked on the aircraft’s capabilities in carrying out Balakot-type airstrikes, the Air Chief Marshal said, “In terms of strike capability, it will have the capability of a standoff weapon which will be even beyond the capability we used that time.”

The Tejas Mk-1A will be equipped with active electronically scanned array radar, beyond visual range missile, electronic warfare suite and air-to-air refuelling and would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of the IAF, according to official statements. The 83 aircraft will look after four squadrons, he said to question on the fighter aircraft’s deployment in the IAF. “The current strength of the two squadron plan of LCA will now increase to six. Essentially the deployment will be on the frontline,” he added.