India is broadening the operational reach of its indigenously developed Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft), extending its deployment from a regional focus to a nationwide strategy. This expansion aims to integrate the Tejas LCA as a prominent combat component of the Indian Air Force, bolstering its capability to address potential threats from China and Pakistan.
While the decisive decision to station Tejas fighter squadrons along the borders with Pakistan and China is pending, the country’s air force has taken the initial steps to do so.
The IAF has commenced dispatching the existing two squadrons on temporary assignments to forward air bases along the Western and Northern Borders. The process was exemplified when a squadron of these jets was stationed at Awantipur Airbase in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reasons for Deployment
“These detachments are happening nationwide, particularly in the forward air bases. These detachments are to familiarise the pilots and the ground staff from these airbases and to provide them with experience operating from these locations, with an eye on likely future deployment, said an IAF officer who did not wish to be identified.
The squadrons are actively deployed in these airbases in forward areas, and the pilots and ground staff are provided training to operate from the new terrain This is being done with the eye on the future when the LCA may have to operate from these airbases in the North and Northeast of the country.
The airbases may also have to be geared up to deploy these aircraft in future hence, providing them with and experience of handling Tejas squadrons become necessary.
Production Status
The state-owned aircraft manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to produce the 83 LCA Mk1A variants, including ten trainers, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2039. The delivery time of the HAL includes three aircraft in 2024, followed by 16 annually from 2025 through two projection lines.
A third production line is being established at the HAL Bengaluru facility to ultimately manufacture eight aircraft per year, contributing to the production of the 24 Tejas LCA aircraft.
How the Tejas strengthen the IAF
Once the induction of the 83 aircraft has been finalised, they will constitute a part of at least four Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter squadrons. Coupled with the two existing squadrons, operational at the Sulur Base in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. India is on track to operate a total of six squadrons soon. This will account for one-fourth of the total sanctioned strength (42 squadrons)
Currently, the operational fighter aircraft of the IAF, such as MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Dassault Mirage 2000, Dassault Rafale, and SU-30MKI, the IAF is in the process of removing the old MiG-21 and the MiG-29 fighter fleet while indicting the Tejas to bolster the capabilities.
Tejas Aircraft is poised to become a cornerstone of the Indian Air Force’s Future fighter aircraft arsenal, with their operational significance expected to amplify as the squadron count expands. India’s utilisation of the Tejas Aircraft is anticipated to extend for a substantial span of about three decades, cementing its place within the country’s fighter fleet for an extended period.
This enduring commitment underscores the necessity for the Tejas Fleet to elevate its operational standards. It is projected that the aircraft will be called upon for active duty in real combat scenarios as the border tensions with Pakistan and China intensify in the years ahead.
Potential Competitors
As these geopolitical conflicts intensify and evolve, the Tejas will find itself in direct confrontation. It might face off against Pakistan’s F-16 Fighter Jet crafted by Lockheed Martin and the China-Pakistan collaboration JF-17 Thunder. Furthermore, in potential confrontations along the China Border, Tejas will have to compete with the J-20 aircraft of the PLAAF (Chinese Air Force).
