According to the Global Times citing foreign media reports, on September 25, local time, the Indian Ministry of Defense signed a contract worth 623.7 billion rupees (approximately US $7.03 billion) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to purchase 97 "Tejas" Mk-1A fighter to promote the modernization of the Indian Air Force.

It is noteworthy that in 2021, the Indian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with this state-owned aircraft manufacturer to order 83 domestically produced improved "Tejas" fighters, but none has been delivered so far. Under such circumstances, India has now placed additional orders, which will inevitably lead to doubts from the outside world.

The most advanced domestic aircraft.

India's Defense Ministry said the purchase of 97 MK-1A fighters, including 68 single-seat and 29 double-seat trainers, will begin in 2027, and is expected to be completed in six years.

"Tejas" is a multi-purpose single-engine supersonic fighter. Its research and development began in the 1980s. It was originally planned to be installed in 1994, but it was not officially put into service until 2016. Currently, it is operated by only two air squadrons and is expected to become the main fighter of the Indian Air Force in the future.

Mk-1A is the fourth generation model of Tejas, equipped with more advanced avionics, sensors and survival systems.

The Indian Defense Ministry said it was the "most advanced fighter aircraft model independently designed and manufactured in India", with more than 64 percent of the aircraft being localized, including 67 new independently developed components.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that the newly purchased fighters will enhance the combat power of the Indian Air Force and strengthen national defense preparedness.

Number of fighter squadrons hit record low

The transaction coincided with the shrinking of the Indian Air Force fleet and the escalation of regional tensions.

On September 26, the last two Soviet MiG-21 fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force were officially retired.

The MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter developed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s and the first batch of supersonic jet fighters in India. Since the 1960s, India has equipped more than 870 aircraft.

Indian aviation experts pointed out that India had planned to gradually eliminate the MiG-21 since the 1990s, but the development of domestic fighter jets has repeatedly failed, and had to extend the service life of the MiG-21.

In recent years, the MiG-21 crashes have been frequently known as the "flying coffin".

With the completion of the MiG-21 squadron, the Indian Air Force fighter squadron will be reduced from 42 to 29, the lowest level in 60 years.

Shortcomings of aviation industry raise questions

India, one of the world¡¯s largest arms importers, has long pushed for the modernization of its armed forces and sought to increase domestic arms production.

In addition to the Mk-1A, India Airlines Limited is also expected to receive orders for more than 200 MK-2s and an equivalent number of fifth-generation advanced medium-sized fighter jets.

However, in stark contrast to the rush of new orders, deliveries of 83 Tejas fighters in 2021 (including Mk-1A and Mk-1) have yet to begin. The company attributed the delay to insufficient supply of General Electric (GE) engines, as well as software and radar integration issues.

The Indian Air Force Chief of Staff, A.P. Singh, publicly criticized in May the poor progress of several Indian aviation projects, including a serious delay in the delivery of "glorious" fighter jets.

Analysts point out that these delays highlight the structural shortcomings of the Indian aviation industry: the core technology is insufficient and the key subsystems rely on imports.

(Editor's email: ylq@jfdaily.com)

India's domestic "Glory" fighter aircraft inquiry: the previous batch of 83 aircraft not delivered, and $ 7 billion to buy 97 aircraft

Published by: Jan Editor: Jan Editor: Jan Editor: Jan

Source: Liberation Daily °²