In a boost to the ‘Make In India’ initiative, the Modi government has recently given the go-ahead to procure 83 ‘Tejas’ for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said that LCA Mk-1A jets would be way ahead of the JF-17 fighter planes operated by the Pakistan Air Force. Here's how the Indian Air Force’s Tejas LCA and Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder stack against each other-
1.The LCA Tejas MK 1A is a 4.5 generation multirole light fighter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL) India. It is ideally a single seat fighter jet but also can be manufactured into a twin-seat. Jf 17 Thunder is also a 4.5 generation single-seat and twin-seat multirole light combat aircraft developed by Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
2. ENGINE- LCA Tejas is powered by a single General Electric F-404 engine rated at 53.9 kN thrust dry and 90 kN with afterburner. Whereas JF17 is powered by a single Klimov RD-93 afterburning turbofan engine with digital electronic engine control (DEEC) and has a 49.4 kN dry thrust and 85.3 kN with afterburner.
3. TECHNOLOGY- Tejas integrates technologies such as relaxed static stability, multi-mode radar, integrated digital avionics system, composite material structures, and a flat rated engine and “With the introduction of podded self-protection jammer (SPJ) and AESA on Tejas Mk1A, the survivability of the aircraft is further enhanced. JF-17 Thunder can carry air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, laser-guided bombs and has China's Airborne Pulse-Doppler .Fire-Control Radar on-board.
4. FLY BY WIRE- Tejas has 3 axis Digital Fly-By-Wire (roll, yaw & pitch) while JF-17 only have pitch axis digital FBW and not digital in other two axes.
6. SPEED- Tejas has a maximum speed of 1.8 mach and can carry a maximum takeoff weight 13,500 kg vs JF has maximum speed of 1.6 mach and can carry a maximum take off weight 12474 kg.
7.FADEC SYSTEM- Tejas has FADEC based engine which is an advanced feature where engine is controlled and monitored by computer. JF-17′s engine don't have FADEC and it also increases the chance of crash because the pilot won't know engine’s health.
9. HELMET MOUNTED DISPLAY AND SIGHT - Tejas has HMD/S, a crucial technology for utilizing High Off-boresight (means ability to target another aircraft by just looking at it as the flight parameters are present on the helmet visor), which greatly helps during dogfight. JF-17 still doesn't have it.
10. WINGS- Tejas is famous for its pure tailless cropped compound delta wing design, and a single dorsal fin making it highly maneuverable. It has a length of 13.2 m and a wingspan of 8.2 m. whereas JF-17 Thunder has tailed cropped delta wing design making it less maneuverable With a length of 14.93 m and a wingspan of 9.48 m.
