In a recent podcast, former Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa made a significant statement about the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. He stated that Tejas was not prepared for deployment at forward airbases during the 2019 Balakot airstrike and subsequent skirmishes with Pakistan.
This statement has sparked a debate among Indian defense experts. Many have challenged Dhanoa's claim, arguing that Tejas not only outperformed MiG-21 but also showcased its capabilities during the 2013 Iron Fist exercise.
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The Balakot Airstrike and MiG-21's Role
On February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force conducted an airstrike on the terrorist camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot, Pakistan. In retaliation, on February 27, Pakistan initiated an operation targeting Indian military bases.
During the ensuing dogfight, Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down a Pakistani F-16 with an R-73 missile from his MiG-21 Bison. However, his MiG-21 was damaged, leading to his ejection into Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), where he was captured.
Source: aajtak
This incident highlighted the limitations of the MiG-21, an aircraft from the 1960s. Questions arose about Tejas's readiness for modern warfare. Dhanoa claimed that during its Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration phase, Tejas was not fully prepared for frontline deployment at bases like Srinagar or Pathankot, leading to the reliance on older jets like the MiG-21.
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Tejas's Capabilities: 2013 Iron Fist Drill
The Indian defense community has strongly opposed Dhanoa's assertion. Several experts referenced the 2013 Iron Fist exercise in Pokhran, Rajasthan, where Tejas demonstrated its strength.
In this exercise, Tejas successfully fired every weapon used by the MiG-21, including R-73 close-combat missiles and precision bombs. Additionally, Tejas showcased its flare capability, essential during aerial skirmishes like those in 2019.
Source: aajtak
In Iron Fist 2013, Tejas demonstrated all the weaponry of the MiG-21. Except for an electronic jammer, Tejas emerged as a superior aircraft. By 2018, Tejas had achieved several critical stages of Final Operational Clearance (FOC), including long-range target engagement with Derby BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missiles.
These tests were conducted at Kalaikunda Air Force Station, where Tejas showcased its integration with the ELTA EL/M-2032 radar, capable of targeting objects up to 70 kilometers away.
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The Drawbacks of MiG-21 and the Strength of Tejas
Designed in the 1960s, the MiG-21 is outdated for modern aerial combat. Its radar can only track targets 30-40 kilometers away and lacks indigeneous electronic warfare (EW) systems.
In contrast, Tejas is a fourth-generation fighter with fly-by-wire controls, modern glass cockpit, and superior maneuverability. Its delta-wing design makes it light and fast. Tejas's reduced radar cross-section makes it harder to detect.
Source: aajtak
In 2019, Pakistan's F-16 targeted MiG-21 with AMRAAM missiles. Experts believe that if Tejas had been deployed, its advanced technology and maneuverability might have been more effective.
Why Wasn't Tejas Chosen?
Despite Dhanoa's claims, there were several reasons for not deploying Tejas at forward airbases in 2019...
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In February 2019, only 16 IOC Tejas aircraft were with No. 45 Squadron (Flying Daggers) based in Sulur, Tamil Nadu, far from northern theaters like Srinagar or Pathankot.
In contrast, aircraft like Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage 2000, and MiG-21 Bison were already positioned and battle-ready at these forward bases.
Tejas's IOC configuration had limitations, such as the incomplete integration of the Astra BVR missile and indigenous EW systems. Maintenance and spare parts for Tejas at forward airbases were limited.
The familiarity and large fleet of MiG-21s (over 100) made them the default choice, despite being risky.
Source: aajtak
The Future of Tejas and the Role of its American Engine
The events of 2019 highlighted the urgent need to replace outdated MiG-21s. Tejas is viewed as the future of the Indian Air Force, powered by the GE F404 engine supplied from the USA.
Future iterations like the Tejas Mk-2 are expected to employ the GE F414 engine, enhancing its power. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is working to increase production rates and improve maintenance efficiency for Tejas.
