“There is no comparison with the JF-17,” Indian Air Force chief mentioned. China and Pakistan have collectively 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 mentioned.
Just a day after the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accredited the proposal of procuring 83 superior jets to bolster the IAF’s fight potential for Rs 48,000 crores, Bhaduria mentioned that the Mk-1A jets with its superior weapons can have good strike functionality.
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The air chief added that even the present last operational clearance (FOC) variant of the LCA was superior to the JF-17. He mentioned the LCA Mk-1 jets can be geared up with the indigenous Astra past visible vary missiles.
The Tejas Mk-1A can be geared up with energetic electronically scanned array radar, past visible vary missile, digital warfare suite, and air-to-air refuelling and can be a potent platform to fulfill the operational necessities of the IAF, in line with official statements.
The CCS approval comes 10-month after the ministry gave a inexperienced mild to the acquisition of 83 Mk-1A jets from state-owned plane-maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
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“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 contains 73 Mk-1A fighter jets and 10 LCA Mk-1 coach plane. After the deal is signed, HAL is anticipated to ship the primary Mk-1A jet to the IAF for 3 years, with all of the plane prone to be delivered by 2028-29.
The Mk-1A programme is anticipated to generate 50,000 jobs and can contain the participation of greater than 500 Indian firms.
According to estimates, the Indian armed forces are projected to spend round USD 130 billion in capital procurement within the subsequent 5 years.
