Ex-IAF Chief Arup Raha Urges Firm Commitment to Tejas Programme Despite Dubai Airshow Mishap

Tejas Jet Aircraft Plane Crash: Former Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha has cautioned against any rethink on India’s indigenous fighter aircraft programme following the recent Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) mishap at the Dubai Airshow, stressing that the country must stay firmly committed to building its own combat jets.

In an exclusive interview to UNI, Raha said the accident , which occurred during a stunt manoeuvre, should not undermine decades of work or India’s strategic goal of self-reliance in defence aviation.

Ex-IAF Chief on Jet Aircraft Crash

“India should not, under any circumstances, give up its aim to produce an indigenously built fighter attack aircraft. This is an essential requirement,” he said.

Raha noted that the Tejas LCA has performed “reasonably well,” but acknowledged that manufacturing has been “rather slow.”

With the IAF’s fighter squadron strength declining steadily, the need for rapid induction has become urgent. “Right now our fighter strength is depleting, and in five to seven years’ time, we may be down to as low as 25 squadrons if we do not beef up our air force quickly,” he warned.

Highlighting the progress made, he said the Tejas Mark 1 is only the second fighter jet fully developed in India and incorporates several advanced systems.

“It has an extremely good electronically arrayed radar, a very capable fly-by-wire system, and enriched technical features — including refuelling capabilities, missiles, electronics and computing operations. They are very well done indeed,” he said.

Raha stressed that isolated accidents should not derail the programme.

“Simply because we have had one accident, two accidents, after so many hours of flying this plane, we should not think of giving up development. Its track record is extremely good.

“ Two accidents out of so many aircraft built and operated is a very low accident rate,” he said.

Speculating on the causes of past incidents, he said the first Tejas accident was linked to an issue with the US-made F404G engine, adding that a thorough technical investigation would determine the precise reasons behind the latest mishap.

The former air chief asserted that India was on its way to develop and manufacture Mark2 in the Tejas series and this would prove even more successful.

Raha reiterated that continued development, improved production timelines and unwavering commitment to indigenous capability remain vital for India’s long-term air power and strategic autonomy.