India to make stealth fighter
DECCAN CHRONICLE. |
A RAGU RAMAN
Published Jan 4, 2017, 1:51 am IST
Updated Jan 4, 2017, 1:51 am IST
TIRUPATI: With the induction of light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas into the Indian Air Force this year, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which has jointly developed the fourth generation aircraft with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is now ready to develop the stealth fighter aircraft.
“The concept and feasibility study for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) has completed and submitted to the government. We are awaiting the government’s approval to develop prototype vehicles (PVs),” P.Ramachandra, director, admin and planning, Aeronautical Development Agency told this newspaper on the sidelines of the Indian Science Congress.
It is designed to be the
25-tonne class aircraft whereas the Tejas is weighing only about 10 tonnes. It will have the range of
2,800 km. “The aircraft will have many stealth features for evading radars and it will have twin-engines,” he said. This was envisioned as a replacement for the British Jaguar and Mirage 2000 which the IAF flies.
According to defence experts, the stealth fighter would be of great help during the initial days of a major war as it will allow the air force to target enemy’s infrastructure such as roads, railways, airfields, radars, headquarters and depots. The Aeronautical Development Agency also plans to showcase the model in the upcoming Aero India exhibition. Indian Air Force ordered 40 Tejas aircraft and 83 LCA Mark-1A aircraft with the HAL. The Air Force also wanted better specifications for LCA Mark-1A like mid-air refuelling and advanced electronic warfare suit.
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