Shillong, Dec 12: Even as the MiG-21 FL jet, that changed course of 197
1 war was bowed out on Wednesday and became a part of aviation folklore of the Indian air force, the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas, will replace the decades old MIG 21 aircrafts that has been the one of the premiere frontline fighter for the Indian Air Force.
Speaking to media persons here today after concluding his farewell trip, Chief Of Air Staff,Air Chief Marshall NAK Browne said that the Light Combat Aircraft would be inducted by next year and initially Indian Air Force would possess forty air crafts.
“LCA will replace MIG 21, we are going to get 40 Air Craft that is first 2 squadron. That will be the mark one. And our work has already started to develop Mark 2. Mark 2 air craft will have better engine , it will be G-engine . That air craft will be developing from the basic Mark one. It will have far better improvement,” said Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne.
He pointed out that the work has even started for MK II which will have better radar systems, powerful engines and even other features.“It will have more fuel, more powerful engine . That will actually be future for Air force in terms of replacement for MIG 21. We have plan for almost when mark 2 starts to come out and it will be indigenous project as well,” Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne.
Dubbed the world’s lightest fighter, the tail-less little wonder is due to ceremonially earn its initial operational clearance (IOC) and move closer to joining the IAF at its birthplace, Bangalore, on December 20.
The event will see its creator and developer, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the DRDO, hand over an aircraft, along with the user manuals, in as good as battle-ready state to the IAF.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne, and DRDO Director-General Avinash Chander are slated to be present at the ceremony along with the “who’s who” of the military set-up.
“On 20th eight days from now. I will head-on to Bangalore where we are doing the acceptance of the initial operation clearance, the second operation clearance for the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) so the Raksha Mantri will also be there,” Chief Of Air Staff,Air Chief Marshall NAK Browne said.
The Air Chief was also full of appreciation for the MIG21 stating that it has done its job quite well and generations of pilots have been trained in the MIGs.
The LCA will be considered fully battle-ready only around end-2014, after it clears firing more lethal armaments and missiles.
On being asked for a possible time frame for induction of the ambitious 126 number of Rafale multi role combat aircrafts sought for more than 20 billon , the air chief said that this should don the airforce colours by the early part of 2017.
“As you know the C-in-C the negotiation are going on. We have a little bit set back as you know the JSO who was handling the case passed away two months back in September. Last week a new joint secretary was appointed to take the charge of negotiation. They are having meeting this time and I m hopeful that by next year we are able to wrap up this case,” Browne said. “From the time we sign the contract the first delivery should take place about three years from that so next year is 2014 and it should be 2017” he said when asked about Rafale air craft.
Browne informed that the Rafale is expected to be inducted in the Indian Air Force by the year 2017. It may be mentioned here thatThe contest for MRCA featured six fighter aircraft: Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon, Mikoyan MiG-35, and Saab JAS 39 Gripen. On 27 April 2011, after an intensive and detailed technical evaluation by the IAF, it reduced the bidders to two fighters — Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale. On 31 January 2012 it was announced that Dassault Rafale won the competition due to its lower life-cycle cost. Contract negotiations are to begin soon. The cost of the deal is revised at USD 20 billion, with options for purchasing more aircraft.
Tejas is a fourth-generation fighter with contemporary technologies. In his two day visit, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne arrived at Headquarters, Eastern Air Command on Wednesday on a two-day farewell visit and even attended the Eastern Air Command Commanders’ Conference.
Before his departure from Shillong, he was also given a guard of honour by the Indian Air Force personnel at the Upper Shillong Helipad.(SP News)
