IAF set to raise second LCA squadron in Sulur

NEWDELHI: The Indian Air Force is all set to raise its second squadron of the locally made light combat aircraft Tejas at Sulur in Tamil Nadu on May 27, people familiar with the development said on Sunday. The IAF’S first Tejas squadron was raised at the Sulur air base in 2016 with two aircraft and more planes joined the fleet progressively.

IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria is expected to travel to Sulur on Wednesday for the event. The second squadron is being raised with the first aircraft in the final operational clearance (FOC) configuration and more will be added later, officials said.

The IAF has so far ordered 40 LCAS, split in the initial operational clearance (IOC) version and the more advanced and FOC configuration. The first squadron consists of IOC aircraft.

“The raising of the squadron, though delayed, is welcome news. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltdhas to speed up production of the Tejas to meet trust placed on it by the

IAF; 8 Tejas per year is just not acceptable,” said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

In March, the defence ministry gave green light to purchase of 83 LCA MK-1A advanced Tejas jets from HAL. Contract is expected to be inked in the coming months.

The deal, expected to be worth Rs 38,000 crore, is critical for HAL to prevent a complete halt of production at its facilities. HT reported January 11 that HAL’S order books are empty beyond 2021-22 and new orders from forces --- especially for 83 jets --- are critical for production continuity. HAL is expected to deliver first MK-1A jet three years after the deal is signed. IAF is struggling with a shortage of warplanes. Compared to an optimum strength of 42-plus units required to fight a two-front war, count of IAF fighter squadrons has shrunk to 31. First four of 36 Rafales ordered from France are expected by July-end.