On March 12, The Tejas aircraft in the Indian Airforce (IAF) crashed in Jaisalmer during a training session. This is the first ever crash of Tejas Aircraft in 23 years after its launch in 2001.The Tejas, which is a light combat aircraft, was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016.
The plane crashed on the ground of the student’s hostel, which is located near the Lakshmi Chand Sanwal Colony in Jaisalmer, around 2 pm. The pilot ejected safely, the Air Force said, adding that a probe has been ordered into the incident.
Let’s look deep about the Tejas combat Aircraft……
The Tejas is a light combat aircraft (LCA) developed by India. It is the country’s first indigenously developed and manufactured fighter aircraft. The development program for the Tejas began in the 1980s, and after several decades of research, testing, and development, the aircraft entered service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) in July 2016.
Here are some key features and aspects of the Tejas:
1.Design and Development: The Tejas was designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in cooperation with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and other Indian aerospace organizations.
2.Variants: The Tejas program includes several variants, including the Tejas Mk1, Tejas Mk1A, and Tejas Mk2. These variants differ in terms of capabilities, technology, and specifications.
3.Role: The Tejas is primarily designed as a multi-role combat aircraft capable of air superiority, air defense, ground attack, reconnaissance, and maritime roles.
4.Features: It is a lightweight, single-engine, delta-wing, multi-role aircraft. It features modern avionics, advanced composite materials, and a glass cockpit. It is equipped with a variety of weapons systems, including guns, missiles, and bombs.
5.Performance: The Tejas is powered by a single GE F404 engine, giving it a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and a combat range of over 3000 kilometers.
6.Operational Service: The Tejas has been inducted into the Indian Air Force, and efforts are ongoing to enhance its capabilities and increase its numbers in service. It is seen as a significant step towards reducing India’s dependence on foreign fighter aircraft.
7.Export Potential: India has also been exploring the export potential of the Tejas to other countries. In recent years, there have been discussions with various countries regarding potential sales and collaborations.
Overall, the Tejas represents a significant achievement for India’s indigenous aerospace industry and is expected to play a crucial role in the country’s defense capabilities for years to come.
IAF FUTURE GOALS….
The Indian Air Force plans to replace the ageing MiG-21 aircraft with the LCA Tejas Mark 1A aircraft by 2025. The LCA program was envisioned in the late 1980s to replace the MiG-21s that have been serving the Air Force since 1963. The LCA was rechristened as ‘Tejas’ in 2003
One Tejas aircraft of the Indian Air Force met with an accident at Jaisalmer, today during an operational training sortie. The pilot ejected safely.
A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to find out the cause of the accident.— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 12, 2024