NEW DELHI: India has planned to make 43 modifications in combat aircraft Tejas to counter Pakistani JF-17 Thunder.
Top Indian officials said that the single-engine fighter undergo at least 43 ‘improvements’ out of the 57 ‘weaknesses’ detected in its maintainability to ensure it can land and take off again within an hour.
They further claimed that after the alteration, Tejas would be able to “thrash the Pakistani JF-17 ‘Thunder’ fighters in reach, punch and ability to kill and survive in an engagement.”
“The Tejas, after the 43 improvements, will be more than able to outgun the similar JF-17, which Pakistan is inducting with China’s help.” They added
However, this would only be possible once the Tejas is ready with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, mid-air refueling, long-range beyond visual range (BVR) missiles and advanced electronic warfare capabilities.
All this could take up to another three years at the very least, and even if defense PSU Hindustan Aeronautics manages to ramp up its production rate to 12 jets from the existing eight per year; all the 120 Tejas planned so far for IAF will be inducted only by 2026.
