Tejas crash: Is the US responsible for the incident? Why the suspicion?
The Indian Air Force has not yet commented on the cause of the Tejas jet crash.
New Delhi: India(BHARAT)’s Tejas fighter jet has crashed at the Dubai Air Show. The India(BHARAT)n Air Force (IAF) has confirmed the accident. The pilot flying the Tejas jet was also killed in the accident. The Air Force has also ordered a court of inquiry into the accident. A video of the Tejas jet crash is being shared on social media. In the video, the jet can be seen descending rapidly and hitting the ground, then bursting into flames. This is the first time a Tejas jet has crashed during an air show.
How did the Tejas fighter jet crash?
The India(BHARAT)n Air Force has not yet commented on the cause of the Tejas jet crash. It is believed that the true cause will be revealed only after a detailed investigation. However, previous controversies surrounding the Tejas jet have also pointed the finger of suspicion towards the US. In such a situation, the possibility that an external force may have been involved in the Tejas crash cannot be ruled out.
What is America’s contribution to Tejas?
The US has attempted to obstruct India(BHARAT)’s LCA Tejas project for decades. It has repeatedly refused to provide the materials necessary for the development of Tejas. Despite this, the Tejas aircraft uses F404-IN20 jet engines manufactured by the US company GE Aerospace. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) manufactures Tejas fighter jets for the India(BHARAT)n Air Force and has signed a major agreement with General Electric (GE) for the supply of engines.
The US Delays Tejas Engine Delivery
HAL signed a $1 billion deal with GE for 99 engines in 2021. However, General Electric significantly delayed the delivery of the engines. GE claimed that supply chain problems were causing the delays. However, according to sources, it is believed that the US administration deliberately delayed this delivery to impact India(BHARAT)’s Tejas project. Later, after India(BHARAT)’s insistence, GE resumed a limited supply of engines. However, this impacted the delivery of Tejas aircraft from HAL to the India(BHARAT)n Air Force.
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