Indian Tejas As Capable As Rafale: Defense Minister

The Indian indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas is as capable of the French Dassault Rafale, Indian Defense Minister said Saturday.

“Our Tejas is having the same qualities as Rafale does. Although Tejas is in light weight category, its range also half compared to Rafale, in terms of avionics, electronics and fire power it is no less than the Rafale,” Manohar Parrikar was quoted by The Hindu based on an interview with All India Radio Saturday.

Parriakar stated that Tejas had similar capabilities although it was in a different class. Talking of measures to improve the squadron strength of the Air Force, he pointed that four to five squadrons of the Tejas will be added in the next three to four years in addition to a few more squadrons of Sukhoi as well as two squadrons of Rafales.

“The first squadron of Tejas will be ready by September-October and it will be flying before Diwali,” the Minister said.

On the selection of another fighter aircraft to be built under the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative, Parrikar said it could be any aircraft and a “decision in this regard will be taken in this financial year".