Indian Air Force to Establish In-House Team for Tejas MkII Upgrades and Modifications, Reducing Reliance on HAL

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking a significant step towards self-reliance in aircraft maintenance and upgrades. With the induction of the Tejas MkII fighter jets scheduled to commence from 2029-30, the IAF plans to form a dedicated in-house team to manage feedback, requested changes, and upgrades for the aircraft.

This move aims to reduce dependency on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), particularly for software-related updates and modifications.

Currently, any system changes or software upgrades for the Tejas require routing requests through HAL, often leading to significant developmental costs and potential delays. The new in-house approach will streamline this process, enabling the IAF to implement updates more frequently and cost-effectively. This shift is expected to ensure the Tejas MkII fleet remains consistently updated, avoiding delays or gaps often associated with periodic overhauls.

The Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), a leading flight testing unit of the IAF, will play a central role in this initiative. ASTE will be responsible for:

• Writing and updating software code for weapons integration on the Tejas MkII platform.
• Managing the integration of new weapons systems throughout the aircraft's service life, projected to span nearly four decades.
• Overseeing a dedicated Tejas MkII flying testbed, enabling real-time testing and validation of upgrades and improvements.

This dedicated testbed will be crucial for assessing feedback from operational squadrons and implementing iterative enhancements. By leveraging ASTE's expertise, the IAF aims to ensure the Tejas MkII remains a cutting-edge platform, adaptable to evolving battlefield requirements.

The Tejas MkII, a medium-weight fighter jet, represents a significant leap in capabilities compared to its predecessor, the Tejas MkI. With advanced avionics, a higher payload capacity, extended range, and provisions for integrating next-generation weaponry, the MkII is poised to play a pivotal role in modernizing the IAF's fleet.

This initiative aligns with the IAF's broader goals of enhancing self-reliance and technological expertise. By developing the capacity to manage and upgrade its fleet independently, the IAF not only reduces costs but also accelerates the implementation of crucial upgrades, ensuring its fighter jets remain at the forefront of combat capability.

 

[R. Singh]

Its Wrong ! IAF's job is to fight not to upgrade the fighters its HAl+ADA responsibility to provide IAF cutting edge tech based fighter jets !

 

[MR. BHARAT]

Whoever has a problem, only he can find the quickest and best solution to his problem and achieve self-satisfaction!

 

[RG]

Good, but they should share the requirement and work with industry both private and public to develop capability in advance, by funding prototypes.

 

[sanket]

IAF should form separate wing for Fighter jet design development upgrade plus weapons development, System & Integration development like IN has warship design Bureau.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Personnel, who get injured while in service can be trained and be employed in software development, drone pilot jobs.

 

[Shiva]

Wow...
It shows Tejas MKII design and requirements are reached to a matured stage and hardly it requrie some software updates, mostly to alter algorithms for strategic reasons to meet ever changing dog fighting and other strategies needed for war game.
It means, now, TejasMKII is ready for war, I mean by 2029/2030, provided required engines are available.

I am sure, Trump, will make sure, they are available, as Trump dont want India to shift back to Russia in this area.

However, world dynamics ever changing, engine production within India is still a distant dream , even though officially we have a ToT and permission, but still not implemented in ground reality

 

[Jagroshan singh]

IAF should form separate wing for Fighter jet design development upgrade plus weapons development, System & Integration development like IN has warship design Bureau.

Yep, a separate wing, which can experiment with the aircraft by adding and removing stuffs as per their will.

 

[Dredd]

@Shiva
It only shows IAF lack of confidence in HAL software upgrade cycle and capabilities, while companies like SaaB are giving continuous software updates to Gripen, HAl takes it as a whole new multi year project just to update a small part of system/software.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s better to allow the air force to maintain, change or upgrade any software, internal changes or make weapon changes rather than rely solely on HAL. HAL should just stick to manufacturing the jet but manufacture them on time.

 

[P2S2]

Its Wrong ! IAF's job is to fight not to upgrade the fighters its HAl+ADA responsibility to provide IAF cutting edge tech based fighter jets !

I propose an independent additional framework that is capable of evaluating all platforms and being able to take them into different pathways. It is apparent that India is still far behind others in technology. That outfit could incubate new start ups in different ways and means of accomplishing those actions. Thats where innovation and new technologies will stare from. Its not the matter of catching up but overtaking at the looming curves ahead.