HAL To Double Production Capacity Of LCA Tejas To 16 Each Year

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics is likely to double the production of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas to 16 each year to meet the government target of 100 aircraft for Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF has decided to order 100 modified Tejas aircraft apart from 20 planes, which had been ordered previously. The air force has requested HAL to add newer capabilities in the Tejas. With IAF likely to de-commission 54 MiG 21s and MiG 27s in the next six months, the strength will be brought down from 35 to 32 squadrons.

During the recent November 27 governing body meeting of the  Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO)’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) attended by LCA Tejas manufacturer HAL, the IAF brought down the maintenance issues from 57 to 43, all of which can be executed by ADA and HAL without changing the aircraft design, India's Mail Today newspaper reported today.

“We are now hopeful of an order for 100 Mark 1-As before the end of the current financial year,” DRDO chief Dr S Christopher was quoted as saying by Mail Today.

The aircraft will be equipped with four new features including Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, along range beyond visual range missile, air-to-air refuelling and electronic warfare capability which will enhance survivability of the aircraft.

“Re-positioning of major (aircraft) aggregates for the ease of maintenance has nulified  the requirement to stretch the fuselage that would have increased aerodynamic drag to such levels as to require the more powerful F-414 engine. This negates the requirement to have LCA Mk2 for the IAF,” Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retired) of the Centre for Air Power Studies was quoted as saying by the news daily.

The ADA is now designing the LCA’s Mark 2 variant only for the Indian Navy and the design will be ready by 2022.