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Daily News Analysis

EXERCISE DESERT FLAG VIII

27th February, 2023 Security

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Context:  An Indian Air Force contingent comprising of 110 Air Warriors reached at Al Dahfra airbase of United Arab Emirates for participating in Exercise Desert Flag VIII.

Details:

  • This is the first occasion when the LCA Tejas will participate in an international flying exercise outside India.

About:

  • Exercise Desert Flag is a multilateral air exercise in which Air Forces from UAE, France, Kuwait, Australia, UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Republic of Korea and USA would also be participating.
  • The aim of the exercise is to participate in diverse fighter engagements and learn from the best practices of various Air Forces.

About Tejas:

LCA Programme: Background

  • In 1983, the Government of India established the LCA project with the initial goal to develop a new light combat aircraft to replace the ageing IAF fighters,especially the MiG-21 variants.
  • In 1984, the Government of India established Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the aegis of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to manage the LCA programme.

Tejas under LCA Programme

  • The HAL Tejas is an Indian, single engine, delta wing, light multirole fighter.
  • In 2003, the LCA was officially named "Tejas". It is the smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary supersonic combat aircraft.
  • The Tejas is the second supersonic fighter developed by HAL after the HAL HF-24 Marut.
  • The Tejas currently has three production models – Tejas Mark 1, Mark 1A and trainer variant.

LCA Mk II

  • The LCA-Mk2 will be a heavier and much more capable aircraft than the current LCA variants.
  • The Mk2 is 1,350 mm longer featuring canards and can carry a payload of 6,500 kg compared to 3,500 kg the LCA can carry.
  • Stealth aircraft: It would be a twin engine stealth aircraft with an internal weapons bay and a diverter less supersonic intake, which has been developed for the first time for which the design is complete.
  • It will be a 25-tonne aircraft with internal carriage of 1,500 kg of payload and 5,500-kg external payload with 6,500 kg of internal fuel.
  • The AMCA will have stealth and non-stealth configuration.

 

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Which of the following statements are correct with reference to HAL Tejas?

a. It is an Indian, single-engine, delta wing, light multirole fighter.

b. It is the first supersonic fighter developed by HAL.

         I.   Only a

        II.   Only b

       III.   Both a and b

        IV.   Neither a not b

Answer: Option I

 

https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=Indian-Air-Force-contingent-reaches-in-UAE-to-participate-in-Exercise-Desert-Flag-VIII&id=456464