1. Cabinet Committee on Security approves Tejas Mark-2 Project
Tags: Defence National News
The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the Tejas Mark-2 Project on 1 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The committee has approved Rs 6,500 crore for the design and development of Tejas Mark-2 fighter jet with prototype, flight testing and certification.
This allocation is in addition to the existing Rs 2500 crore sanctioned to HAL.
Features of Tejas Mark-2 fighter jet :
It will be equipped with more powerful GE- F414 engines in the 98 Kilonewton thrust class.
The engine will enable it to extend its flight range and carry additional payloads and weapons compared to the current version.
The payload capacity of Tejas Mark-2 jet will be four tonnes as compared to three tonnes of the current version.
It will also be equipped with an indigenously developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which will be a upgraded version of the existing ELTA's EL/M-2032 multi-mode radar.
Significance :
Its importance has increased due to the rapidly dwindling strength of the fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force and the phasing out of MiG-21 aircraft in the coming years.
This decision will give a boost to indigenous design and development of next generation fighter aircraft.
