LCA Tejas
The Indian aerospace industry since its inception has generally focused on fulfilling the domestic needs of the nation instead of investing in major scale marketing to promote exports. Since the foundation of state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on 1 October 1964, the 58 years of journey (and counting) has seen the firm mass-producing an array of products on license from foreign OEMs as well as locally researching and developing indigenous designs. Light aircraft, trainers, UAVs, helicopters, fighter jets, and even engines, HAL managed to acquire decent experience with the development of a variety of solutions. While major designs in the domains of light aircraft, trainers, and helicopters managed to make it through the phase of designing and entered the production line with successful execution, complex concepts like jet fighters are yet to see major success. The very first jet rolled out in India for combat was introduced in 1961 as HF-24 Marut, a twin-engine attack aircraft deriving its design from IAe 43 “Pulqui III”, one of the earlier concepts produced by chief designer Kurt Tank in 1954 (An year before arriving in India) but originally for Argentine Air Force while he was working at IAME (State Aeronautical and Mechanical Industries). The cancellation of the aircraft in Argentina led to its employment for Indian requirements, which allowed the authorities to shorten the design timeline as they pitched the continuation of a design from drawing board in Argentina to a proper physical product in India, that served for more than 23 years (1967-1990) in Indian Air Force, scoring excellency both during peacetime and wartime. While it can be said that New Delhi’s first jet fighter had somewhat a German “DNA” (as Mr. Tank had German origin), the second and latest member of the family, Tejas, offers some significant highlights to look upon while discussing the advancement of India in the field of aerospace developments. The aircraft that took its first flight in 2003 is now valiantly offering an operational strength of two squadrons in the Indian Air Force, albeit in base Mark 1 standard. Very soon, squadrons will be shifted to forward operating bases as their first step to replace the vintage MiG-21 Bison, the objective for which the LCA programme was initiated in the 80s. However, while future of the type is already planned with upgraded Mark 1A [Alpha] spec and evolution into next-generation Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), HAL is optimistic to give a boost to the programme by making a mark in the global market as well, where the platform is now on offer for nations seeking a plausible and affordable platform to strengthen their airpower.
Understanding Malaysian LCA/ FLIT tender
The Malaysian administration since 2018 has hinted on multiple occasions that the Royal Malaysian Air Force is looking at plausible options of lightweight fighter aircraft to modernise the fleet and replace the aging systems in service. However, sudden aggression from mainland China and the violation of Malaysian airspace by 16 Chinese fighter aircraft on 2 June 2021, had caused fast-tracking of the process and eventually led to the formal release of the tender within 20 days of the incident. The tender document lists down various characteristics and specifications that the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) must ensure to feature in their proposals, which will make the platforms suitable to undertake missions as per RMAF operating procedures. As a part of RMAF’s modernisation program termed as the Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55), the tender involves an acquisition process for new and advanced fourth-generation Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) to replace the aging fleet of Bae Hawk Mk-208 and Hawk Mk-108 light aircraft. The Fighter Lead-In Trainer (FLIT), will be procured to replace Aermacchi MB-339CM, and expected to be a variant derived from the same LCA type: in simpler words, a twin-seat variant of the LCA primarily for conversion training as well as satisfactory combat role. A total of 9 companies were invited, via a Request for Proposal (RFP), to offer their products till September 22 (later extended to 6 October). Six companies responded which included Italy’s Leonardo with M-346 “Master”, China’s CATIC with L-15 “Falcon”, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) with FA-50/T-50 “Golden Eagle”, Turkey’s TAI with “Hürjet”, India’s HAL with “Tejas” and Russia’s Rosoboronexport with MiG-35 “Fulcrum-F”. The procurement will be done in two batches or phases, each phase consisting of the acquisition of 18 jets, of which 10 airframes will be dedicated to LCA and the rest 8 will be twin-seat FLIT variants, with the final composition of 2 squadrons of LCA and 1 squadron of FLIT. The OEM needs to assure Malaysia that it will start delivery of the platform within 36 months after the deal is signed. This government-to-government US$960 million deal will witness half proportion of the payment of barter nature that is palm oil worth US$480 million. Furthermore, the OEM needs to establish a joint venture with a domestic entity to obtain 30% of the products or services of Malaysian origin. This includes the production of airframe components, maintenance facilities, and more. Three firms, TAI, HAL, and Rosoboronexport agreed to comply with every term in the context of offering participation of Malaysian firms in the deal. TAI plans to set up its engineering and design office in Malaysia, indicating its ambition to jointly produce the aircraft and set up a second production facility in Malaysia as well.
Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVR-AAM)
What does Tejas bring to the table?
Though Tejas Mark 1A is yet to take the skies in its maiden flight, a lot of information on its technical and performances are already well broadcasted, including 43 “improvements” over the base Mark 1, the first production variant. The upgraded aircraft will bolster the composition of Indian origin components, as various critical subsystems which are presently owned by foreign OEMs will be replaced by Indian substitutes, that includes Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESAR), Advanced Self-Protection Jammer (ASPJ), Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVR-AAM), diverse air-to-ground weapon package and more. This reduces the chances of embargo due to foreign influence in case of disputes between the customer and the third party. Apart from this, all the capabilities arriving with the system comfortably fit the necessity of any modern era force looking to absorb a capable LCA to deal with the contemporary warfare scenario.
Challenges
There are challenges however that need to be tackled and only then it will ensure the potential customer that HAL has the capacity to take its step in this competitive market and be as capable as the executive of the aerospace industry like Lockheed Martin, Dassault, etc. First is having satisfactory production capacity where an adequate number of the airframes needed to be rolled out from factories to complete the delivery to both domestic and foreign customers before the deadline. The Indian Air Force is reportedly yet to receive an entire lot of 40 Tejas Mark 1 fighters ordered to arm the two squadrons, No.45 “Flying Daggers” and No.18 “Flying Bullets”. Former operates with IOC configured airframes which will soon go through the FOC upgrade phase while the latter is operating with 8 units as per the latest report in February 2022. Second is the after-sales support, in which the logistics must be available in the form of spares so that the fleet remains active. Malaysia had recently grounded its entire fleet of MiG- 29N “Fulcrum” aircraft due to lack of spare parts and went ahead to reduce the financial burden that was being caused to keep the Russian jets flying.
Conclusion
It is about time what the Malaysian government and RMAF decide to pursue, as winner of the tender is believed to be announced by mid-2022. For HAL, trying to compete with some of the renowned and established firms in the aviation market, is no less than a test and at the same time, an opportunity to edge out the critics and introduce the world to a fighter that reflects the skills of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” that is equivalent or better than the expensive counterparts originated in other parts of the globe.
Mockup of the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESAR) on the Tejas
Article by Rishav Twitter (@_devildog_rv_) (All photos: Vayu)
Sources: janes.com, business-standard.com, indiatoday.in, malaysiandefence.com and sinarharian.com (Local Malaysian media)