The Indian Air Force (IAF) has acknowledged that requests for updated technology on the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) have contributed to delays in the fighter jet's delivery schedule.
However, the IAF maintains that these changes were crucial to ensure the aircraft remains effective against evolving security threats.
Speaking at a defence conference in New Delhi, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff, conceded that alterations to the aircraft's weaponry and other specifications, requested by the IAF, played a role in extending the program's timeline.
He explained that the Tejas's lengthy development period, which began in the 1980s, necessitated upgrades to keep the aircraft equipped with cutting-edge technology and armaments, in line with current operational needs.
The Tejas, developed domestically by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), was originally intended to replace the IAF's aging MiG-21 fleet.
While the Mk1 variant of the Tejas achieved Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) in 2011 and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) in 2019, the program has been subject to criticism due to delays, increased costs, and production challenges.
The Air Chief Marshal's statement clarifies one significant factor behind these delays: the ongoing modifications requested by the IAF. As the Tejas program progressed, the IAF identified the need for enhancements to the jet's avionics, radar, electronic warfare capabilities, and weapons systems.
These upgrades were deemed necessary to counter evolving threats and keep pace with the capabilities of advanced fighter jets operated by neighboring countries, such as Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder and China's J-10 and J-20.
"It is true that some of the delays in the LCA program can be attributed to changes we requested at various stages," Air Chief Marshal Singh stated. He emphasized that each modification, whether related to weapons, avionics, or other systems, required extensive testing, validation, and sometimes redesign. These processes inevitably extended delivery timelines.
A prime example is the upgrade from the Tejas Mk1 to the more sophisticated Mk1A variant. This transition included substantial improvements, such as the integration of an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enhanced electronic warfare systems, and compatibility with advanced weaponry like the ASRAAM and Python-5 close-combat missiles.
While essential for the Tejas to operate effectively in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, these enhancements required HAL and ADA to rework design aspects, conduct further trials, and obtain new certifications – a process that added years to the development.
Despite acknowledging the delays, Air Chief Marshal justified the IAF's insistence on these changes, citing the rapid advancements in military technology. "The LCA program took a long time to mature—decades, in fact," he said. "During this period, the threats we face and the technologies available to us changed significantly. We couldn’t induct an aircraft with outdated systems or armament when adversaries were fielding more advanced platforms."
Prominent defence analysts supported the IAF Chief's position, stating that without these updates, the Tejas risked becoming obsolete before entering widespread service. "If IAF had stuck to the original specifications, IAF would have ended up with an aircraft that might have been adequate in the 1990s but not in the 2020s," they explained.
The requested modifications ensure that the Tejas Mk1A is equipped with modern technology, including an AESA radar and contemporary weaponry, making it a viable platform for modern combat scenarios.
