Bengaluru: The first squadron of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas was inducted into the Indian Air Force on Friday.


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The LCA squadron induction ceremony was held at the Aircraft System Testing Establishment here in the presence of Air Marshal Jasbir Walia, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, officials said.


 


Know more about Tejas:


  • Two Tejas aircraft will make up the 'Flying Daggers` 45, the name of the first squadron of the LCA.
  • The first LCA squadron will be based in Bengaluru in Karnataka for two years before shifting to Sulur in Tamil Nadu.
  • The aircraft was named "Tejas" (meaning radiance in Sanskrit) by Atal Bihari Vajpayee as Prime Minister.
  • Starting with two aircraft, the squadron will get six more jets by 2017 to make it fully operational.
  • The LCA is far superior to Pakistan's JF-17 built jointly with China.
  • The indigenous fighter jet, which is still to get full operational clearance, is expected to get into the combat role in 2017.
  • The first Tejas squadron will consist of 20 aircraft, with four in reserve.
  • The second LCA squadron will be raised with improved capabilities, including the critical necessity of missile firing to Beyond Visual Range.
  • The IAF plans to induct over 80 aircraft with better specifications, known as Tejas 1A. In the coming years, altogether 120 Tejas jets are to be inducted, replacing MiG-21s. The upgraded version of Tejas will cost between Rs 275 crore and Rs 300 crore.
  • The improved Tejas 1A will be far more superior than the first two squadrons since these will have mid-air refueling, modern internal radar warning receiver, and external self-protection jammer pod to enhance survivability and an active electronically scanned array radar.