SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF), grappling with delays in the delivery of Tejas Mk1A fighter jets due to a supply shortage of F-404 engines from GE Aerospace, is now considering extending the service life of its remaining MiG-21 Bison aircraft. The decision comes as the IAF faces the challenge of maintaining operational readiness until sufficient Tejas Mk1A jets are delivered to form a full squadron.
The MiG-21 Bison, which had been slated for complete retirement by next year, will now remain active for a little longer than initially planned. The IAF intends to slow down flying operations of the MiG-21s, ensuring that they remain in service until the Tejas Mk1A squadrons are fully operational.
The IAF had placed high hopes on the timely induction of the Tejas Mk1A—a domestically developed multirole light fighter—to replace its aging fleet of MiG-21 Bisons. However, the F-404 engine supply delays from GE Aerospace have significantly impacted the production schedule, forcing the IAF to adjust its fleet management strategy.
Originally, the first Tejas Mk1A squadron was expected to be formed in July of this year at the Nal desert airbase near Bikaner, where the last operational MiG-21 Bisons are stationed. These new jets were intended to take over from the MiG-21s, with plans to fully retire the latter by 2025. Unfortunately, this timeline has been disrupted due to the lack of engines needed to power the Tejas Mk1A jets.
The Nal airbase was to be the base to become home to the first operational Tejas Mk1A squadron. However, delays in the delivery of the F-404 engines have prevented Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the manufacturer of the Tejas jets, from meeting its production targets.
The MiG-21 Bison has been the backbone of the IAF’s fighter fleet for decades. Introduced in the 1960s, the aircraft has seen extensive upgrades over the years, but it is now long past its intended service life. The MiG-21 has earned a mixed reputation due to its extensive combat history and operational accidents.
The Tejas Mk1A is a crucial platform for the IAF’s modernization efforts. Designed as a lightweight multirole fighter, the Tejas Mk1A boasts significant improvements over its predecessor, the Tejas Mk1. The Mk1A variant features advanced avionics, a new AESA radar, enhanced electronic warfare systems, and the ability to carry a wider range of weapons.
With the first Tejas Mk1A jets expected to arrive soon, the IAF is focusing on completing squadron formations and ensuring that the new jets are ready for operations. The IAF remains committed to its goal of modernizing its fleet and is eagerly awaiting the completion of the 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets ordered for induction and plans to procure 97 more Tejas Mk1A jets by end of this year.
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