Centre gives nod to LCA Tejas Mark-2 fighter aircraft development project
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday approved the project to develop LCA Mark 2 multirole fighter jet, a more capable and powerful version of the indigenous aircraft. The government has sanctioned around Rs 10,000 crore for the project.
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New Delhi, Sept 1: The Centre has given its nod to the development of the next generation variant and a more potent version of the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas – Tejas Mark 2. The development of new aircraft will be completed by 2027.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday approved the project to develop the LCA Mark 2 multirole fighter jet, a more capable and powerful version of the indigenous aircraft. Reports suggest the fighter jet will be developed at a cost of over Rs 6,500 crore, in addition to the Rs 2,500 crore previously sanctioned for it.
"LCA Mark 2 fighter aircraft development project was cleared by govt. This would pave way for designers to develop an advanced 17.5-tonne single-engine aircraft. Development of new aircraft to be completed by 2027," Aeronautical Development Agency chief Girish Deodhare said, ANI reported.
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Tejas is a single-engine and highly agile multi-role supersonic fighter manufactured by the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Last year, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL R Madhavan had said that the upgraded version of the jet will have a bigger fuselage, longer range, better maintainability, greater load carrying capability, much stronger engine power and superior net-centric warfare systems.
He had also said that the first high-speed trial of the jet will start in 2023 and the production is expected to begin somewhere around 2025. Tejas is a potent platform for air combat and offensive air support with reconnaissance and anti-ship operations as its secondary roles.
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The Tejas project will be followed by another mega project for fifth-generation medium weight deep penetration fighter, which is estimated to cost around USD 5 billion.
Besides, the DRDO feels that the aircraft would be in the category of the Rafale class aircraft in terms of avionics and capabilities but lighter in weight. The government has also cleared that the engines to be used in the aircraft should be Made in India after the initial development phase.
