SOURCE: AFI
The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, a flagship program of India’s indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities, marked 24 years since its maiden flight on January 4, 2001. While the platform has showcased India’s growing self-reliance in defense technology, the program has faced significant criticism for its sluggish pace of development, delays in production, and limited inductions into the Indian Air Force (IAF) even after more than two decades.
The LCA Tejas, developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was envisioned as a fourth-generation lightweight, multi-role combat aircraft to replace India’s aging fleet of MiG-21 fighters. It was designed to strengthen India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
The first flight of the LCA prototype in 2001 was a proud moment for India, marking a milestone in indigenous defense technology. The aircraft showcased advanced features such as composite airframes, fly-by-wire systems, and modern avionics, earning accolades for its technological achievements.
Despite the promising start, the program has been marred by delays, bureaucratic hurdles, and technical challenges that have significantly slowed its progress. Some of the key issues include:
- Extended Development Timeline:
- The LCA program was sanctioned in 1983, and the aircraft’s first prototype flew only in 2001. Operational clearance for the aircraft came much later, with Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in 2011 and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) in 2019.
- A program spanning over four decades has raised concerns about inefficiencies in development timelines.
- Limited Inductions:
- The IAF has inducted only 40 Tejas Mk1 aircraft, with 83 upgraded Tejas Mk1A jets ordered in 2021 under a ?46,898 crore contract.
- These numbers are still far below expectations, especially for a country looking to bolster its indigenous defense capabilities.
- Production Bottlenecks:
- HAL’s production capacity has often been cited as a major bottleneck. The facility has struggled to deliver aircraft on time, with a production rate of only 8-10 aircraft per year.
- Evolving Requirements:
- As the program dragged on, global aviation technology advanced rapidly, rendering some features of the earlier Tejas variants outdated. The IAF’s evolving operational requirements also necessitated constant upgrades, further delaying the project.
The Tejas Mk1A, an upgraded version with advanced avionics, AESA radar, reduced maintenance requirements, and air-to-air refueling capability, is expected to address many of the shortcomings of the original Mk1 variant. The first Mk1A aircraft is slated for delivery by 2024, with the entire order of 83 jets expected to be completed by 2029.
Additionally, the Tejas Mk2, a medium-weight fighter, and the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program are being developed to meet future requirements. However, these programs must avoid the pitfalls of the Tejas Mk1 to achieve timely delivery and operational readiness.
While the LCA Tejas program has undoubtedly contributed to India’s aerospace industry, creating a foundation for future indigenous fighter programs, its slow pace and limited output highlight systemic challenges in India’s defense manufacturing sector. The lack of robust private-sector involvement, excessive reliance on public-sector undertakings, and bureaucratic red tape have collectively hampered the program’s success.