Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)/Tejas aircraft

Subject: Defence

Context: CCS cleared the largest indigenous procurement of Rs 48000 crore for 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

Concept:

India is facing host of security challenges from border dispute with China and Pakistan to terrorism across the border. This apart from need to reduce dependency on import for defence the government has brought changes in procurement policy to support indigenisation.
The procurement of 83 Tejas MK 1A LCA would not only strengthen armed force but would also push the indigenisation strategy forward.

About Tejas MK 1A LCA

Designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development, the Tejas Mk-1A multirole light fighters will be manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
LCA is multirole jet military aircraft modified or designed for engaging in light combat missions, either in light strike or attack missions, reconnaissance or interdiction roles or trainer role.
Tejas is a fully-weaponised light fighter (India’s first indigenised fighter aircraft) with a single engine. It is an indigenously designed and manufactured fourth-generation fighter with critical operational capabilities
Critical operational capabilities: Active Electronically Scanned Array radar; Beyond Visual Range air to-air missiles; Advanced Electronic Warfare suite; air-to-air refuelling capabilities.
The naval variant of the Tejas, in development stage, successfully performed “arrested landings” on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

About CCS

CABINET COMMITTEE ON SECURITY – Optimize IAS