New Delhi: In a rare occurrence, a domestically manufactured fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed on Tuesday in the western state of Rajasthan, marking the first such incident since the induction of the jet nearly eight years ago. Fortunately, the pilot ejected safely, as confirmed by the air force in an official statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has been steadfast in promoting local manufacturing as part of India’s endeavor to reduce its reliance on foreign imports for defense equipment. This crash, involving the Tejas light combat jet, underscores the challenges and risks inherent in this pursuit.
Named “Tejas”, signifying “flame” or “brilliance” in Sanskrit, the aircraft was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016 after prolonged delays in India’s efforts to modernize its predominantly Soviet-era fleet. The crash on Tuesday marks a significant setback, breaking the jet’s safety record since its maiden test flight over two decades ago, according to an air force official speaking to Reuters.
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Despite this setback, Prime Minister Modi has articulated ambitious goals to substantially increase the value of annual defense exports to $5 billion by 2025, a significant leap from 2023 levels. Diplomatic efforts have been underway to facilitate the export of Tejas, aligning with the government’s broader objectives.
In a notable development, the Indian government awarded a $6 billion contract to the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 2021 for the production of 83 Tejas jets, signaling continued support for the indigenous defense industry.
However, the Tejas project has encountered various challenges, including design issues and criticisms. Notably, the Indian Navy had previously rejected the aircraft, citing concerns over its weight.
