Of the 40 Tejas Mk-1 aircraft ordered—comprising 16 IOC single-seaters, 16 FOC single-seaters & 8 twin-seat trainers—IAF has received 38 with two trainers yet to be delivered.
India's HF-24 Marut was the first domestically designed and produced modern jet combat aircraft in Asia, and this was years before China exploded its first atomic weapon.
India’s fighter aircraft strength will be down to 31 squadrons by the end of the year, down from 42. It will further reduce when Mirage 2000, MiG-29, and Jaguar squadrons are phased out.
The delays have directly affected the delivery of Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets to the IAF, which is eager to operationalise its new aircraft amid dwindling squadron strength.
At a time when the spotlight is on state-run HAL due to its slow pace of manufacturing Tejas fighters, Air Chief Marshal Singh's candid remarks were recorded by a YouTube channel.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Chairman DK Sunil says talks are on with GE over technology transfer for F414 engines for Tejas Mk-2 & possibly Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.
India is in talks with Denmark over the engine charge amplifiers, while HAL has contracted a local firm to indigenise them, it is learnt. HAL was supposed to start the delivery in March.
The first Tejas will be delivered with Category B engines, reserve engines which may have been used before or came in and remained unused as part of earlier deal with GE for Tejas series.
SEBI probe concluded that purported loans and fund transfers were paid back in full and did not amount to deceptive market practices or unreported related party transactions.
Many really smart people now share the position that playing cricket with Pakistan is politically, strategically and morally wrong. It is just a poor appreciation of competitive sport.
“soon”, have been hearing this for the last 2 years. When is soon? a week, a month or a year?