New Delhi: Praising the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas whose purchase has been cleared by union cabinet, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said that this aircraft is far better and advanced than the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets, and the latest Indian jet would be better equipped to carry out Balakot-type airstrikes.

He said the 83 indigenous fighter jets to be inducted into the force would also be equipped with homegrown weapons such as the Astra beyond visual range air to air missiles and other standoff weapons. “Indian aircraft Tejas is far better and advanced than the Chinese and Pakistan joint venture JF-17 fighter,” Bhadauria said when asked to compare the Indian fighter with the JF-17.

To a query on whether the Tejas would be able to carry out Balakot-type airstrikes, the Air Chief said: “In terms of strike capability, it will have the capability of a standoff weapon which will be even beyond the capability we used that time.” Noting the approval of the largest indigenous defence procurement deal to buy 83 LCA Tejas, Air Chief Bhadauria said that the deal is a huge step for IAF capability building, adding that the current strength of the two squadron plan of LCA will now increase to six.

“Order of 83 aircraft is huge. When this kind of order takes shape in the next eight-nine years, the entire ecosystem will get set up. For military aviation, it will be a big step. It will make a big base for fighter aircraft production, maintenance and support,” he said.

“It is a huge step for IAF capability building. It is also a big boost to our indigenous industry. It is also a big recognition of our designers. It is a huge step for Indian Air Force and for the country,” he added. On the possible deployment of the newly procured aircraft, he said, “The 83 aircraft will look after four squadrons. The current strength of the two squadron plan of LCA will now increase to six. Essentially the deployment will be frontline.”

On January 13, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the largest indigenous defence procurement deal worth about Rs 48,000 crores to buy 83 LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets. The deal to be signed in the next few days with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) would strengthen the Indian Air Force’s fleet of homegrown fighter jet ‘LCA-Tejas’ and overall combat capability.