New Delhi: The indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft is a world class fighter jet and can effectively play its "defined" role in securing Indian skies, its manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) said on Sunday as the Indian Air Force looked at acquiring a fleet of foreign single-engine jets.
HAL chairman and managing director T Suvarna Raju said most of the 42 modifications in Tejas sought by the IAF, including weaponisation of the aircraft, had been carried out and asserted that the production of the jet could be stepped up depending on the requirement.
"Tejas is a four-and-half generation world class fighter jet. There is no doubt about it. We can improve its various parameters. We are proud of Tejas. Every Indian will be proud of it. We will ensure enhancement in its quality and performance," Raju said in an interview.
His remarks came amidst views in the IAF that the Tejas aircraft was not enough to maintain its combat readiness and it needed to quickly procure a fleet of foreign single engine fighters to deal with any possible security challenges facing the country in the backdrop of the dwindling size of its fighter fleet. The IAF believes it has to have a wide mix of aircraft to maintain an operational edge over its adversaries.
The IAF has placed an order for 40 Tejas and is likely to seal a contract "very soon" with HAL for another 83 aircraft.
However, Raju said HAL was looking at supplying higher numbers, adding that it was ready to carry out further upgrades, modification and improvements on the jet "very quickly".
The HAL CMD said the four-and-half generation Tejas would be able to deliver what is expected of it, insisting that the lifespan of the jet would be a minimum of 30 years just like any other frontline combat aircraft.