India’s 21st Century Fighter Jet (E)
Tejas or the Light Combat Aircraft, considered a fourth-generation plus airplane, is India’s very own indigenously designed fighter plane. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it has already been inducted in the Indian Air Force and just recently the Indian Cabinet approved the purchase of 83 of these fighter jets to be made at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This order worth Rs 48,000 crores is the single biggest order for ‘Make in India’ defence weapon. In all, 123 Tejas planes will be inducted in the IAF. The Delta wing fighter uses composite technology and is considered the best in its class of light fighter planes. India is also developing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, and Dr. Girish S. Deodhare, Director, Director Aeronautical Development Agency (DRDO) explains the complexities involved in it. Tejas costs just Rs 309 crores and most of the money remains within India helping the Indian defence industry. "
