The Tejas is back. India’s first – and smallest – lightweight, single-engine supersonic multiple-role combat aircraft is set to return. That's because the Narendra Modi Administration has decided to induct at least seven squadrons of home-made Light Combat Aircraft into the Indian Air Force.
It's a somewhat contentious decision. The IAF had wanted to acquire 36 fighter planes from Dassault Aviation SA, but the central government turned down the request. On the face of it, this might be construed as an attempt to boost the much-vaunted Make in India programme, but a funds crunch may also have something to do with it.
As an official from the Defence Ministry told The Economic Times, "The IAF needs to have a minimum number of aircraft at all times. The LCA is our best option at this stage, given our resource constraints." Indeed, the Modi government has constantly stated its goal of cutting of the IAF's inclination for imports. India is at present the largest importer of foreign arms in the world.
07/10/15 Shadab Nazmi/Scroll.in
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It's a somewhat contentious decision. The IAF had wanted to acquire 36 fighter planes from Dassault Aviation SA, but the central government turned down the request. On the face of it, this might be construed as an attempt to boost the much-vaunted Make in India programme, but a funds crunch may also have something to do with it.
As an official from the Defence Ministry told The Economic Times, "The IAF needs to have a minimum number of aircraft at all times. The LCA is our best option at this stage, given our resource constraints." Indeed, the Modi government has constantly stated its goal of cutting of the IAF's inclination for imports. India is at present the largest importer of foreign arms in the world.
07/10/15 Shadab Nazmi/Scroll.in
