IAF to deploy first Tejas Mark 1A aircraft squadron near Pakistan border

The first squadron of the aircraft is planned to be deployed at the Nal airbase from where it can take care of the western adversary

LCA Tejas

New Delhi: The indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A fighter aircraft is set to be deployed at Nal airbase in Rajasthan’s Bikaner near the Pakistan border. The first squadron of the aircraft is planned to be deployed at the Nal airbase from where it can take care of the western adversary, top sources told Defence Watch.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently got clearance to buy a total of 180 of these jets and is looking to get the first aircraft by February-March next year. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari called it a “landmark event”.

“We already had 40 LCAs of the original IOC (initial operational clearance) and FOC (final operational clearance) version. So with this, in the long run, the strength of the IAF will grow to 220 LCA Mark 1As, which will equip almost ten squadrons of the Air Force,” he said.

He also called the 97 light combat aircraft “an ideal fit” to replace the depleting strength of the jets, given the winding down of the MiG 21 and the MiG 27 and 23 fleets in the past.

“It’s a very capable and potent aircraft and it gives our trust in the Indian defence industry capabilities. It shows that we firmly are committed towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and ensuring that a large number of our items on our inventory are made in India,” media reports quoted him as saying.

Tejas Mark 1A is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured fighter aircraft with more than 65 per cent indigenous components. The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also cleared the IAF’s Su-30 fighter aircraft upgrade programme.

It is learnt that mega procurement projects and the Su-30 upgrade programme are expected to cost the exchequer Rs 1.3 lakh crore. In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000-crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mark 1A jets for the IAF.

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