IAF's Tejas Mk1 Fleet Demonstrates Respectable 70-75% Operational Readiness Amidst Escalating Border Tensions with Pakistan

As tensions remain high along India's borders, particularly with Pakistan, the Indian Air Force's (IAF) indigenous Tejas Mk1 fighter jet fleet is maintaining a significant level of operational preparedness.

Reports indicate that the Tejas Mk1 aircraft are mission-ready approximately 70-75% of the time. This availability rate is a crucial indicator of the fleet's condition, especially considering the current security climate and challenges within the global defence supply chain.

The operational availability of 70-75% for the Tejas Mk1 aligns well with accepted international military aviation standards. Global benchmarks, often citing historical data from forces like the US Air Force, suggest that an availability rate between 70% and 80% is optimal for fighter jets.

The reliable performance of the General Electric F404-IN20 engine, which powers the Tejas Mk1 and provides 84 kilonewtons of thrust, is a key factor in achieving this readiness level. Features like the engine's advanced digital control system (FADEC) allow for quick adjustments and efficient operation, vital in combat situations.

Furthermore, the aircraft's construction, using lightweight carbon composites for 90% of its surface, contributes to its durability and reduces maintenance needs, enhancing overall availability. The Tejas program is spearheaded by HAL, marking a significant step in India's defence self-reliance efforts.

This level of readiness is particularly relevant as the IAF operates in a complex regional security environment, highlighted by the breakdown of the 2021 Line of Control (LoC) ceasefire agreement with Pakistan and reports of electronic warfare measures like high-frequency jamming systems being deployed.

The IAF currently operates two squadrons comprising 40 Tejas Mk1 jets, which are available in both Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and the more advanced Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configurations.

These indigenous fighters are instrumental in the IAF's plan to replace the venerable MiG-21 aircraft, gradually phasing them out as the Tejas assumes a greater role.

Capable of performing multiple roles, including air defence and ground attack missions, the Tejas Mk1 is vital to India's defence posture against potential threats in the Himalayan region and the Indian Ocean.

Despite the commendable readiness rate, challenges remain. The reliance on the imported F404-IN20 engine, while reliable, has previously impacted the broader Tejas program.

Notably, deliveries of these engines for the upcoming, more advanced Tejas Mk1A variant experienced significant delays, reportedly around two years, attributed to supply chain issues and production pauses at GE Aerospace, with initial deliveries for the Mk1A order only commencing recently. This history raises concerns about the potential for future bottlenecks, especially if rapid fleet expansion is needed during a conflict.

The IAF aims to induct 83 Tejas Mk1A jets by 2029 to bolster its strength, which currently stands at 31 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned requirement of 42.5. Meeting this induction timeline is critical as other older fleets, such as the Jaguar and Mirage-2000, approach retirement towards the end of the decade.

Therefore, while the current Tejas Mk1 readiness is positive, ensuring a steady supply chain for future variants remains essential for the IAF's long-term operational capability.

 

ADA Spearheads Multi-sensor Detect and Avoid Tech Integration for Tapas, Archer-NG UAVs, Reducing Collision Risk in Complex Airspace

India Set to Commence F414 Engines Domestic Production This Year, Accelerating Tejas Mk2 and AMCA Programs

[Hari Sud]

High praise for American engine technology.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

I don't believe for a moment that the LCA availability is about 75%; obviously, we are not going to expose the real truth. In war exercises in the desert some time ago, the LCA availability was over 95%. There was night and day flying, some platforms doing 6 sorties a day! The pilots just loved it. There were HAL engineers around as well. The point is the airframe and the engine are new, and so will be the availability. I hear the Rafale's availability is also above 95%; that's what you get when you pay top dollars for western stuff.

Coming to the Su-30MKI, we were in shock as there were so many problems with the platforms when they were inducted, and the availability was around 45% due to bad spare support from the OEM. There was a spate of engine problems that occurred that the Russians did not foresee as the operating temperature in Russia was -20 to 10 Centigrade.

Well, the desert conditions in India are around 45°C. They tried blaming us, saying that we were flogging the airframes, unlike how they fly in Russia. We told them this is how we fly here in India as the number of flight hours per pilot is higher in India than Russia. There were many FBW problems which we pointed out, which were promptly rejected by the Russians. In fact, Russia learnt a lot from us about the Su-30MKI flying in harsher conditions. After much learning, India got to grips with the Su-30 engine, and we know how to maintain them. That's why we didn't fall for the AL-41 that was dangled to us for the Super Su-30MKI upgrade.

The availability of the MiG-29 was horrendous, to say the least, when they were inducted: 30%! The engines were a nightmare, failing after just 300 hours. Western engines go up to 2000 hours! We did not know what to do. Now, at least after the upgrade, things are better.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Tejas Mk1 is a war-proven platform and is enough for JF-17s and F-16s. It has a fighting radius of 500 km, and its advanced radars have a range of about 80 to 100 km. Its availability rate is above 75% due to the superior GE F404-IN20 engine. Bharat needs to deploy it over Kashmir and teach Pakistan a lesson which they will not forget.

 

[Sandeep]

We can certainly use these jets. We have developed a really good jet and it’s much better than what people give it credit for. The recent FOC and MK1A jets can be used on the frontline and they have a very low RCS and using composites make them very difficult to detect. They can also be used for surveillance or to test the PAF reaction so people shouldn’t write this jet off.