anup
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With Successful completion of Initial operational clearance (IOC) -2 . Tejas MK-1 is all set to enter Indian air force and HAL is also set to deliver first SP-1 and SP-2 aircrafts to Indian air force by mid of next year . 2014 like 2013 will be a busy year for DRDO and HAL , DRDO has to test and validate 6 key points before Final Operational Clearance (FOC) for Tejas MK-1 is granted by end of 2014 .
6 key points for FOC includes firing of Russian-made 23 mm GSH gun , although Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 is reliable weapon and has been used on many variants of Mig-21 ,23 and Mig-27 which Indian air force also operates , But experts believe that test and validation of twin-barrelled 23 mm auto cannon can throw some surprises on its own .
Another key Induction and validation will require Integration of Beyond-visual-range missile (BVR ) missile . Its official now Israeli duo of Derby and Python-5 BVR missiles will be main BVR Missiles on Tejas MK-1 and MK-2 , Home Grown Astra BVR will also join in when it is ready . Russian R-73 which is a WVR missile has already been integrated into Tejas MK-1 , It is likely due to dispute with Russians over providing of source code for R-73 has lead to Procurement of Israeli BVR missiles .
2014 will also see actual work on Tejas MK-2 to start , ADA and HAL who have completed advance design work of Tejas MK-2 are all set to work on first Prototype and plans to roll-out of first Tejas MK-2 might happen at the same time FOC is granted to Tejas MK-1 mostly in 2014 year end or early 2015 , But first test flights might only happen in end of 2015 .
Tejas MK-2 will bring in new challenges to ADA and HAL and requires extensive work to be done on the Mk-2, But with Experience workforce on Tejas Project , DRDO is planning to reduce test program of Tejas MK-2 to two years before it is ready for Production in 2018 . Indian air force plans to buy 4 squadrons of Tejas MK-2 and post 2020 purchase and induction of non stealth fighter is not exciting IAF much to place more orders for Tejas MK-2 .
But DRDO sensing an opportunity is planning for a stealth optimised Tejas MK-3 post 2020 and also has suggested Experimental Drone Tejas to act has technological demonstrator for AURA UCAV project , but talks of MK-3 is still on paper and IAF and MOD still have not cleared any such projects .
6 key points for FOC includes firing of Russian-made 23 mm GSH gun , although Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 is reliable weapon and has been used on many variants of Mig-21 ,23 and Mig-27 which Indian air force also operates , But experts believe that test and validation of twin-barrelled 23 mm auto cannon can throw some surprises on its own .
Another key Induction and validation will require Integration of Beyond-visual-range missile (BVR ) missile . Its official now Israeli duo of Derby and Python-5 BVR missiles will be main BVR Missiles on Tejas MK-1 and MK-2 , Home Grown Astra BVR will also join in when it is ready . Russian R-73 which is a WVR missile has already been integrated into Tejas MK-1 , It is likely due to dispute with Russians over providing of source code for R-73 has lead to Procurement of Israeli BVR missiles .
2014 will also see actual work on Tejas MK-2 to start , ADA and HAL who have completed advance design work of Tejas MK-2 are all set to work on first Prototype and plans to roll-out of first Tejas MK-2 might happen at the same time FOC is granted to Tejas MK-1 mostly in 2014 year end or early 2015 , But first test flights might only happen in end of 2015 .
Tejas MK-2 will bring in new challenges to ADA and HAL and requires extensive work to be done on the Mk-2, But with Experience workforce on Tejas Project , DRDO is planning to reduce test program of Tejas MK-2 to two years before it is ready for Production in 2018 . Indian air force plans to buy 4 squadrons of Tejas MK-2 and post 2020 purchase and induction of non stealth fighter is not exciting IAF much to place more orders for Tejas MK-2 .
But DRDO sensing an opportunity is planning for a stealth optimised Tejas MK-3 post 2020 and also has suggested Experimental Drone Tejas to act has technological demonstrator for AURA UCAV project , but talks of MK-3 is still on paper and IAF and MOD still have not cleared any such projects .
