LCA MK-1A will see a substantial increase in indigenous content of new aircraft
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has underlined that the baseline understanding of space, cyber and Electronics Warefare technologies is important for all warfighters.
Observe, Orient, Decide, Act cycle needs to be of a higher tempo to be in step with the pace of warfighting made possible with the cutting-edge technologies, he told a seminar attended military leaders, scientists, Think Tanks for brainstorm emerging development and provide various actionable points for all stakeholders.
Gen Chauhan emphasized that Capability Development is being done through a scientific process and mentioned that interoperability and integration will grow manifold with theaterisation.
Gen Chauhan underscored the achievements of the armed forces in achieving synergy and transparency in numerous sensor and shooter capabilities, including integration of latest communication and artificial intelligence technologies.
The seminar, along with an exhibition on “Technology-Enabled sensor-Decision-Shooter superiority”, was organised jointly by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) in New Delhi on 30 June 2023.
Gen Chauhan appreciated the efforts of DRDO and CENJOWS for bringing the services, scientists, industry and academia together for brainstorming the subject and mutual understanding of each other’s requirements to meet the future battle field challenges.
In his address to the seminar, Secretary, the Department of R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat, stated that with the proliferation of sensors, the Network Centric Warfare is a reality in the future battlefield scenario. He highlighted that the security of such networks is paramount and passage of secure information in time is a necessity.
He also underscored the salience of AI-driven autonomy.
Director CENJOWS, Lt Gen Sunil Srivastava, Senior Military officers from the three services, DRDO Scientists and Industry representatives attended the seminar, which had discussions by various “subject matter experts” on strategic and multi-domain awareness, information sharing: Networks and communications, Analysis, intelligence and Decision Making, Prompt & Multi-Domain Targeting.
Meanwhile, the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has completed seven years of service in the Indian Air Force on 1 July 2023.
The aircraft is a multi- role platform that ranks amongst the best in its class. It has been designed to undertake the Air Defence, Maritime Reconnaissance and Strike roles.
The inherently unstable Tejas offers carefree handling and enhanced manoeuvrability. This capability is further enhanced with its Multi-Mode-Airborne radar, Helmet Mounted Display, Self-protection suite and Laser Designation Pod.
The first IAF Squadron to induct the Tejas was No 45 Squadron, the ‘Flying Daggers’. Over the years, the squadron progressed from Vampires to Gnats and then onto the MiG-21 Bis, before being equipped with its current steed.
Each of the aircraft flown by the Flying Daggers has been manufactured in India – either under license production or having been designed and developed in India. In May 2020, No. 18 Squadron became the second IAF unit to operate the Tejas.
The IAF has showcased India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities by displaying the aircraft at various international events, including LIMA-2019 at Malaysia, Dubai Air Show-2021, Sri Lanka Air Force anniversary celebrations in 2021, Singapore Air Show-2022 and Aero India Shows from 2017 to 2023.
Whilst it had already participated in exercises with foreign air forces domestically, Ex-Desert Flag in the United Arab Emirates in March 2023 was the Tejas’ maiden exercise on foreign soil, the Defence Ministry said on 30 June 2023.
The confidence that the IAF reposes in the Tejas is borne by its order for 83 LCA Mk-1A which will have updated avionics, as well as an Active Electronically Steered Radar, updated Electronic Warfare suite and a Beyond Visual Range missile capability.
The new variant will be capable of firing a plethora of weapons from increased stand-off ranges. Many of these weapons will be of indigenous origin.
The LCA MK-1A will see a substantial increase in the overall indigenous content of the aircraft. Contracted deliveries of the aircraft are expected to commence in February 2024. In the years to come, the LCA and its future variants will form the mainstay of the Indian Air Force. Fiinews.com
