The polarising debate in recent times over defence acquisitions has raised questions about indigenous defence production.
A key proposal in this regard, is Tejas, the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, which is getting delayed due to procedural challenges.
How is Tejas developed?
The Tejas, or ‘radiance’, is an indigenous fighter aircraft.
It is the smallest lightweight, multi-role, single-engine tactical fighter aircraft in the world.
It is designed jointly by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
This works as per the Air Staff Requirement (ASR) issued by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 1985.
At all stages, the IAF has wholeheartedly participated and supported in this vital indigenous design and development project.
Why is the delay in production?
The ADA, the design authority for Tejas, incorporates design changes based on observations made during test flights.
The ADA makes all such changes in consultation with HAL and other agencies.
These changes are issued as “change notices” with requisite documentation and manufacturing technology.
While the IAF participates in all these consultations, it is not authorised to issue “change notices”.
But Tejas production is getting delayed due to the IAF changing specifications.
HAL blames the IAF for changing specifications as the IAF is a customer and it can only issue the ASR.
It is the HAL, as the original equipment manufacturer, which has to issue the specifications of the aircraft and its components.
[The IAF has not changed the 1985 ASR, except for granting concessions after limitations were encountered during the design and development of the aircraft.
So, many design changes were incorporated in the Tejas to bridge the shortfall from ASR.
Other changes were incorporated to enhance the safety of flight, based on lessons learnt from recent accidents and incidents.]
What are the challenges?
The production of Tejas aircraft is very different and complex because the aircraft is still at the design and development stage.
The standard of preparation of an aircraft defines its capability, which is just evolving for Tejas.
This requires a production capability with a robust supply chain supported by competent sub-vendors to help HAL production line to quickly adapt to such changes.
So HAL needs to bring in institutional flexibility to quickly adapt its production line to such evolving changes during the design and development phase of Tejas or any subsequent aircraft.
In all, the IAF and HAL have to work together for indigenous aircraft production process to be smooth.
