Defence expert Wing Commander (retired) Praful Bakshi on Friday hailed the induction of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas into the Indian Air Force (IAF), but asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and speed-up the aircraft producing capabilities of the nation.
Wing Commander (retired) Bakshi said that the IAF is passing through a 'sensitive' phase as there was a sharp reduction in number of squadrons due to the phasing out of old aircrafts.
"It will benefit the Indian Air Force greatly. IAF is passing thorough very sensitive times. We are supposed to have 45 squadrons but have only 32, and it would come down to 25 squadrons in next few years. MiGs are going out and no replacements are coming in. With this kind of situation and Rafael deal hanging in balance, LCAs inclusion in IAF is welcome," he told ANI.
He said now that the squadron has been established, the focus should be to rapidly increase the number of aircrafts in it.
"The LCA aircraft has established a squadron, so 45 squadron is no more a number plate squadron. The manpower will start increasing, the pilots the technicians will join squadron. The aircraft still needs working in weapon delivery system. By next year there will be eight aircrafts in the squadron. We have to ensure that we increase the number as fast as possible. Prime Minister Modi should take personal interest in increasing the capacity of DRDO and HAL," he added.
An induction ceremony to induct two Tejas aircrafts was held at the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bengaluru.
The crew members of the first squadron of Tejas, a multi-role supersonic single-engine aircraft designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), performed pooja and broke coconuts to mark the auspicious occasion.
HAL handed over the first two Tejas aircraft to the IAF which will make up the 'Flying Daggers' 45, the name of the first squadron of the LCA.
The aircrafts also performed a sortie during the induction ceremony.
