Indian Tejas Fighter Jet vs Pakistan VS JF17 Jet

The Tejas is a multi-role and single-engine light fighter of India. The ADA or Aeronautical Development Agency has designed it being combined with ARDC (Aircraft Research & Design Centre) of HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited). This has been developed for serving the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. The Tejas emerged from the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) program that started during the 1980s for substituting the aging MIG-21 fighters of India. In the year 2003, the LCA was officially named Tejas.

Tejas has a tail-less compound delta-wing design with only one vertical stabilizer, and this proposes improved high-alpha performance features compared to the customary wing designs. Tejas's wing root leading edge comprises a sweep of fifty degrees. Its trailing edge has a forward sweep of 4 edges, whereas its outer wing's leading edge boasts a sweep of 62.5 degrees. This combines technologies like fly-by-wire, relaxed static stability, integrated digital avionics system, multi-mode radar, and also composed component structures. This is the lightest and smallest among contemporary supersonic combat aircraft.

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Some Vital Factors About JF-17/FC-1 Thunder of Pakistan

Before getting into HAL Tejas vs JF 17, lets know all the vital factors of JF-17. JF-17 Thunder/FC-1 Xiaolong is acknowledged as a multipurpose, lightweight, and single-engine combat aircraft, and CAC (Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation) of China developed it jointly with PAC (Pakistan Aeronautical Complex) of Pakistan. These medium-sized aircraft are created chiefly to meet the PAF requirements (Pakistan Air Force), and it will substitute its present-aging fleet Dassault Mirage III/V fighter aircraft and Nanchang A-5 Chengdu F-7P/PG.

In August 2003, the maiden flight of JF-17 was completed, and it began to provide its services in March 2007. This aircraft is elected as Joint Fighter-17 and Fighter China-1 by China. The approximate cost of this flight is nearly $15M-20M.

The first squadron of the JF-17 is the Number 26 Squadron Black Spiders, and it was made familiar in February 2010. This was launched along with the aircraft of 14 JF-17. The JF-17 was demonstrated at the 2010 Farnborough Air Show. Two other aircraft belonging to the No. 26 Black Spiders Squadron too were displayed at this show.

Characteristics of Tejas LCA Fighter Jet

• Tejas is idyllically a single-seat fighter jet, but when the need arises, then it can be manufactured even into a two-seat fighter jet.

• This is powered by only one General Electric engine that is rated at 53.9 kN thrust dry. But it becomes 90kN with an afterburner.

• Tejas LCA is prevalent for its delta wing setting.

• Tejas LCA possesses a wingspan of 8.2m, and it has a length of 13.2 m.

• The HAL Tejas top speed is Mach 1.8, and it is capable of travelling 500 kilometres with drop tanks.

• Tejas LCA weighs 6500 kilograms when it is dry and has got a max. Takeoff weight of 13000 kilograms.

• It is capable of carrying air-to-surface- and air-to-air missiles, laser-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles. Again, it has got the Elta EL/M2032 multimode fire control radar of Israel.

• The max. T/W or the ratio of thrust to weight is 1.00:1.07

• The STR (Sustained Turn Rate) of Tejas LCA is sixteen degrees/second.

• The radar of Tejas LCA is ELM-2032, and it possesses a detection range of one hundred and fifty kilometres.

• Tejas LCA is created with composites, and they comprise 45 percent of its weight and 95 percent by surface area.

• The in-service life of Tejas LCA is 9000 flying hours that can stretch up to 12000 hours, too.

Features of the JF-17 Thunder

• JF-17 Thunder is found in both twin-seat and single-seat configurations.

• This is powered by only one Klimov RD-93 after-burning turbofan engine that has DEEC (digital electronic engine control). Additionally, it possesses a 49.4 kN dry thrust. Again, it has got 85.3 kN with an afterburner.

• JF-17 weighs 6583 kilograms when it is dry, and its ultimate takeoff weight is 12,383 kilograms.

• The length of the JF-17 Thunder is 14.93 meters and has a wingspan of 9.48 meters.

• The maximum speed of JF-17 Thunder is Mach 1.6.

• The maximum T/W or the ratio of thrust to weight of JF-17 Thunder is 0.84:0.95.

• JF-17 Thunder is capable of carrying laser-guided bombs and air-to-surface- and air-to-air missiles besides Airborne Pulse-Doppler and Fire-Control Radar on-board of China.

• The STR or Sustained Turn Rate of JF-17 Thunder is 14.4 degrees per second.

• The ITR (Instantaneous Turn Rate) of JF-17 Thunder is 24.4 degrees per second.

• The radar of JF-17 Thunder is KLF-17, and it possesses a detection range of 105 kilometers.

• The in-service life of JF-17 Thunder is 4000 flying hours.

• It has got an all-metal construction too.

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JF 17 vs Tejas

The Indian government has made a deal that is worth Rs. 48,000 crores for procuring an extra 83 India-produced Tejas combat aircraft that comes from the house of HAL or Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This deal is considered the biggest in the sector of indigenous military aviation. Previously, an order of forty Tejas aircraft was floated, and it finished the earlier order of 123 Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. prepared fighter jets. On the contrary, Tejas is a one-engine supersonic and multi-role fighter aircraft. This will substitute the earlier Soviet-period MiG-21 Bison jets. Tejas also boost the combat prowess of the IAF. When it comes to JF 17 vs Tejas, both have their own respective characteristics. 

Since the time JF-17 Thunder has been manufactured, it has turned into a matter of pride for the Air Force of Pakistan, and it considers it their homemade fighter jet, though China has a contribution in its development. Only recently, Pakistan updated this fighter plane to include more firepower to compete against the Tejas LCA. The HAL Tejas top speed is Mach 1.8 compared to the top speed of JF-17 Thunder, which is Mach 1.6.

JF 17 vs Tejas: Details in a Tabular Form Explaining More About JF 17 vs Tejas

To Sum Up HAL Tejas vs JF 17 Thunder

Here are some key pointers to summarize the JF 17 vs Tejas: 

• Tejas LCA is an indigenously prepared fighter jet. On the other hand, the JF-17 Thunder of Pakistan is developed jointly by China and Pakistan.

• The HAL Tejas of the Indian Air Force is lighter and faster compared to the JF-17 Thunder of Pakistan Air Force.

• Tejas LCA does house a more potent engine in comparison to JF-17 Thunder.

• Tejas LCA possesses an improved T/W ratio compared to JF-17 Thunder. It means Tejas LCA is capable of manoeuvring more aggressively when the need arises.

• HAL Tejas LCA’s payload-carrying power is more compared to JF-17 Thunder.

• Tejas LCA is capable of detecting and locking JF-17 Thunder before the latter realizes its presence in the region.

• The most important thing is Tejas LCA possesses a life span that is twice compared to JF-17 Thunder.

Tejas Aircraft Comparison with JF-17 Thunder: Hal Tejas vs JF 17

JF 17 Thunder vs. Tejas comprises many factors. Though Tejas is a lightweight aircraft and short-range, it can carry a huge collection of modern weapons. So, in this context, it is nothing less than bigger warplanes as they can carry from standoff and precision-guided weaponry to some long-range and beyond visual range missiles. 

Tejas is also capable of taking down an enemy plane from a safe distance. The naval variant of the Tejas, even during its development phase, could perform arrested landings successfully. The JF-17 Thunder is a better-slotted plane when you wish to substitute MiG 21-27 and the J6 J7 king of fighters of China. 

Tejas possesses many progressive features, such as Air-to-Air refueling, Air-to-Ground weapons, and Beyond visual-range missile capacities. Tejas LCA is an entirely weaponized light fighter that has got only one engine.

Thus, this extensively written article has covered all about JF 17 vs Tejas and their vital information.