 "IAF inducts Tejas fighters into force, squadron named Flying Daggers")
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday inducted two home-grown light combat aircraft (LCA), forming its first squadron for the Tejas fighter, called the Flying Daggers.
The planes will be initially based at the IAF Sulur base in Coimbatore, allowing air force pilots to fly the single-engine fighter before it is deployed in operational roles. Eighteen more aircraft, including four trainers, would join the squadron by 2018.
Air Marshal Jasbir Walia, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, formally inducted the squadron at the Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment in Bengaluru.
Since the first flight of the LCA’s technology demonstrator in January 2001, the Tejas has flown nearly 3,200 sorties across India, including over deserts and high altitudes in the Himalayas, without any mishap — a rarity in new aircraft testing globally. The aircraft has got an initial operational clearance and is expected to get the final clearance by the end of 2016.
The IAF expects to raise six squadrons of the home-grown fighter in a decade.
The Flying Daggers or the 45 Squadron with the Tejas will be commanded by Group Captain Madhav Rangachari, who had earlier flown the fighter as a test pilot. “It is an excellent aircraft and generations ahead of other fighters in the world. Being the only (one) of its kind (light), it is not comparable with other military aircraft,” he said.
The Tejas is a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role supersonic fighter that adopts fly-by-wire technology and a computer-controlled cockpit, that helps pilots handle the plane better electronically.
The aircraft was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a unit of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the public sector aircraft maker, will manufacture the aircraft at its facility in Bengaluru.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who pushed the IAF to induct the aircraft within a committed timeline tweeted, “Moment of National pride. Indigenously developed Tejas fighter jet inducted into Air Force. Tejas will take our air strength to new heights.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praised both ADA and HAL for their efforts. “Induction of indigenously made Tejas fighter jet into the Air Force fills our hearts with unparalleled pride and happiness,” he said in a statement.
“It shows the commitment of the IAF for the aircraft,” Kota Harinarayana, chief designer and former programme head of Tejas, had said in January. “In the years to come, Tejas will be the backbone of the IAF. They have committed orders for 120 aircraft, it is now for the production agency to deliver.”
In January, the chief of Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, flew on a trainer aircraft, officially signalling the formation of the squadron. In 2001, the then IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis had to be cajoled to be in Bengaluru to witness the first flight of the LCA.
The test pilots of IAF’s Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) — the elite school that tests and certifies every aircraft type used by the force — have flown the fighter, ADA said.
The aircraft is powered by a GE-404 engine and an advanced version that will see modifications in the structure will have a more powerful GE-414 power plant made by General Electric.
TAKING FLIGHT
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Two Tejas aircraft have been inducted into IAF’s 45 Squadron
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The planes will be initially based at the IAF Sulur base in Coimbatore
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This will allow air force pilots to fly the fighter before it is deployed in operational roles
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The 45 Squadron or the Flying Daggers will be commanded by Group Captain Madhav Rangachari, who had earlier flown the fighter as a test pilot
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The IAF plans to add 18 more aircraft, including 4 trainers, to the squadron by 2018
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Since its first technology demonstrator flight in January 2001, Tejas has flown nearly 3,200 sorties across India
