Defence
IAF's Tejas, ALH Dhruv To Participate In Dubai Air Show Alongside Pakistan's China-Made 'Unfit For Combat' JF-17 Jets
Tejas Mk-1 jet carrying 'Made-in-India' Astra Mk-1 missile. (Representative image via X/@Praneethfrank)
Indian Air Force's (IAF) indigenously designed and developed Tejas and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv are set to take part in the Dubai Air Show, announced the Indian Ministry of Defence.
An IAF contingent comprising Tejas light combat aircraft, ALH Dhruv, and C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft landed at Al Maktoum International Airport for the Air Show, scheduled to be held from 13 to 17 November.
Tejas will participate in both the static and aerial displays, while the Sarang Helicopter Display team, operating the ALH Dhruv, will showcase its formation aerobatic skills.
Alongside Tejas, more than 60 commercial and military airplanes from all major manufacturers will participate in the air show, including the Chinese J-10 and the Qatari Air Force's F-15QA fighter.
Pakistan's China-made JF-17 will also participate in the air show. This will be a rare opportunity where both Tejas and JF-17 will be on display at the same time.
Apart from the Pakistan Air Force, the Myanmar and Nigerian air forces also operate these jets.
The Myanmar Air Force is, however, unhappy with the performance of the jet. According to a report by the Myanmar-based news portal Narinjara News, the multi-role fighter jet has been deemed unfit for combat.
The military junta in Myanmar has expressed its dissatisfaction with the jet and has sent a strong message to Islamabad demanding an explanation.
Earlier, in November 2022 as well, there were reports that the Myanmar Air Force was unhappy with the jet and was forced to ground these jets due to malfunctions and structural flaws.
All of the eleven jets supplied to the Burmese Air Force have been declared unfit for operations and have been grounded.
It is worth noting that China, despite being the manufacturer of the JF-17s, has not included a single one of these aircraft in its own inventory thus far.
On the other hand, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-made Tejas fighter jet's order book is soaring high, with the IAF expressing the intent to buy 97 more jets, apart from the already on-order 83 jets.
This is apart from the more than 32 jets already delivered and in operation with the IAF.
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