"The crash of India's Tejas Mark 1A light-combat aircraft during a low-level aerobatic maneuver at the Dubai Air Show last week has come as a blow to India's aerospace hopes and ambitions. The accident, which claimed the life of a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, happened on Friday in front of global defense industry delegates, generating negative publicity and potentially dampening the interest of prospective arms buyers around the world."
"A senior air force official, who asked not to be named, told DW that while the crash does not undermine the Tejas' superiority over older aircraft like the MiG-21, it remains less capable compared to China's more advanced J-20 and J-16 fighters. "This underscores that although Tejas holds value for India's air force modernization, it still falls short when measured against cutting-edge fifth-generation fighters deployed by rival nations," the official said."
"The single-engine Tejas Mark 1A, produced by Indian public sector defense company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is seen as crucial to addressing the issue of the IAF's aging fleet of mainly Russian and ex-Soviet fighter jets. It was designed to showcase India's capability to independently design, develop, and manufacture advanced military technology. But the indigenous project, which has now spanned over 40 years, has been plagued by delays."
A Tejas Mark 1A light-combat aircraft crashed during a low-level aerobatic maneuver at the Dubai Air Show, killing a senior Indian Air Force pilot. The accident occurred in front of global defense delegates and may deter prospective international buyers while generating negative publicity. The IAF has opened a probe to determine whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or other factors caused the crash. A previous Tejas crash in March 2024 saw the pilot eject safely. IAF officials say Tejas is superior to older jets like the MiG-21 but remains less capable than China's J-20 and J-16 fighters. The Tejas program, produced by HAL, has spanned over 40 years, suffered delays, and has limited deliveries, complicating efforts to modernize the IAF's aging fleet.
Read at www.dw.com
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