CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The IAF has ordered 40 Tejas Mark 1, 73 Tejas Mark 1A and 10 trainer aircraft. The IAF plans to procure 324 aircraft in all variants, including the Tejas Mark 2 currently under development. The Tejas Mark 2 is expected to be ready for series production by 2026.

Detailed explanation-2: -The plan is to progressively scale up the production rate to 16 Tejas per year for deliveries of the 73 “improved” Mark-1A fighters and 10 trainers to the IAF, which are slated to begin in February 2024 and end by February 2029. The Rs 46, 898 crore contract for these 83 Tejas was inked with HAL in February 2021.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Rafale was inducted swiftly into the Indian Air Force at the peak of the conflict with China and had started operating over Ladakh within a week of its arrival in the country.

Detailed explanation-4: -The entire development process will be completed by 2027 with serial production from 2030. Tejas Mark 2 will become operationally available from 2028. Apart from current commitment of 110-120 aircraft that will form six squadrons, expectations include an additional order of 210 aircraft.

Detailed explanation-5: -The whole process of development will be done by 2027, and full-scale mass production will start in 2030. Tejas Mk2 will be ready to use starting in 2028. In addition to the six squadrons, HAL expects an order of another 210 planes.