IAF Chief Shunts Out Any Comparison Between Indigenous Tejas And Pak-China Developed JF-17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the proposal of procuring 83 advanced jets to bolster the IAF’s combat potential for Rs 48,000 crores.

File Image - RKS Bhadauria | GETTY

Welcoming the move to procure 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircrafts (LCA) Mk-1A jets, Indian Air Force chief Air Marshal RKS Bhaduria on Thursday said that the soon-to-be ordered jets are way ahead of the JF-17 fighter jets operated by the Pakistani Air Force. “There is no comparison with the JF-17,” Indian Air Force chief said. China and Pakistan have jointly developed the JF-17 fighter jets. “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,” Bhaduria said. Just a day after the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the proposal of procuring 83 advanced jets to bolster the IAF’s combat potential for Rs 48,000 crores, Bhaduria said that the Mk-1A jets with its advanced weapons will have good strike capability. READ | FM Nirmala Sitharaman To Present 'Covid Affected' Budget On Feb 1; Here's All About It The air chief added that even the existing final operational clearance (FOC) variant of the LCA was superior to the JF-17. He said the LCA Mk-1 jets would be equipped with the indigenous Astra beyond visual range missiles. 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 CCS approval comes 10-month after the ministry gave a green light to the purchase of 83 Mk-1A jets from state-owned plane-maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). "Order of 83 aircraft is huge. When this kind of order takes shape in the next 8-9 years, the entire ecosystem will get set up. For military aviation, it will be a big step. It will make a big base for fighter aircraft production, maintenance and support," IAF Chief added. The order includes 73 Mk-1A fighter jets and 10 LCA Mk-1 trainer aircraft. After the deal is signed, HAL is expected to deliver the first Mk-1A jet to the IAF for three years, with all the aircraft likely to be delivered by 2028-29. The Mk-1A programme is expected to generate 50,000 jobs and will involve the participation of more than 500 Indian companies. According to estimates, the Indian armed forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion in capital procurement in the next five years.