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Following scaling-back of Rafale deal India builds its own LCA ‘Tejas’

TEXT AND PHOTO BY: M. M. ALAM

NEW DELHI: Decision makers here – pondering over cutting expensive defense imports for long – initially wanted to buy 126 Rafale planes from France’s Dassault Aviation. Later they decided to scale-back to 36 to meet only the urgent needs of the Air force. Sources revealed that the two countries are set to close the 8. 08 billion Euros deal.  

Meanwhile, India that is focusing on development of domestic defense-industrial base, has launched its first home-built jet today (Friday) – the first such fighter to enter service after 33 years. The home-built light combat aircraft Tejas   is being used to make up for the shortfall. 

Indian Air force that presently harbors 33 squadrons needs 45 squadrons to defend itself.  Over the years India has acquired planes for Russia, UK and France. Meanwhile, India is developing  a more powerful model.

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No apple-to apple-analysis has yet been made to find out the difference between Tejas and JF-17 Thunder.

 

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M M Alam

M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career four decades ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.