Indian Air Force chief B.S. Dhanoa on Thursday claimed India's indigenous Tejas fighter was 'an aircraft of the future', compared with the Sino-Pakistani JF-17, which he described as an 'aircraft of the present'.
Interacting with mediapersons, Dhanoa said the JF-17 was already in service in more squadrons of the Pakistani Air Force. Dhanoa said the Tejas had much better systems, but added “It depends on how we equip it. I am sure we can come out with a better plane."
The IAF's chief's cautious optimism is not surprising given the significant delays the Tejas has experienced. The low rate of production and associated maintenance problems haven't helped the reputation of the existing Tejas fighters, with Dhanoa himself revealing the aircraft's deployment to the recent 'GaganShakti' exercise had encountered maintenance problems initially. That the Tejas is a good aircraft is without doubt, but will it emerge as an effective weapon system is the question on the minds of IAF decision makers.
The JF-17 | Pakistani Air Force
Both the Tejas and JF-17 are lightweight, single-engine jets. The Tejas' superiority over the JF-17 is not surprising given that the latter was essentially developed as a facelift for China's variant of the 1950s-era MiG-21. The JF-17 was intended to be a low-cost project, which has mostly relied on existing 'off the shelf' technology such as Russian engines. That China itself never inducted the JF-17 into service highlights the type's moderate capabilities.
On the other hand, the Tejas was meant to give a quantum leap to Indian industry, in addition to providing an indigenous fighter for the IAF. Efforts to develop an indigenous engine and radar have floundered for nearly two decades, but still continue with foreign assistance. In March, the IAF 'committed' to buying 201 derivatives of an advanced Tejas variant, touted as the Mk2. However, firm orders will depend on whether the DRDO and its sister agencies are able to integrate a new engine and other systems to the IAF's satisfaction—a process that could at least take five more years.
Till then, the Tejas will remain an aircraft of the future, even if it is superior to the JF-17.
(With PTI inputs)