Earlier this month, India’s Ministry of Defence reported that the Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) successfully completed a series of high-altitude flight tests with the new Integrated Life Support System (ILSS) that equips the Indian Air Force’s LCA Tejas fighter jets, marking a significant step towards reducing the reliance on foreign components in its design.
Expanding on some details of the recently tested ILSS, it is worth noting that this system is a development based on the Indigenous Onboard Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS), which is capable of generating oxygen during flight, thus eliminating dependence on liquid oxygen containers. In terms of composition, the new system integrates, based on the OBOGS, a new low-pressure breathing regulator, an “anti-G valve,” and an emergency oxygen system, among other advanced components.
During performance testing, the ILSS’s ability to generate and maintain oxygen supply throughout all stages of flight, including high-intensity maneuvers that subject the aircraft to high G-forces, was evaluated, with the system receiving approval in all areas subjected to testing. The tests involved an LCA-Prototype Vehicle-3 fighter jet, built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
Returning to the initial point about reducing the percentage of foreign components in the new LCA Tejas aircraft of the Indian Air Force, the official statement from the Ministry of Defence mentions that up to 90% of the system manufactured by Larsen & Toubro comes from local industries, which have collaborated with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for its development. Furthermore, it is anticipated that if this trend continues, the new ILSS could also be integrated into other types of fighter jets operated by the Air Force, with an example being the MiG-29K, which was mentioned in the statement.
Finally, it is important to remember that the challenge of reducing the number of foreign components in the LCA Tejas is not only an issue that strengthens India’s local military-industrial complex but also makes the aircraft more attractive to potential export markets. This is due to the fact that the aircraft would be less likely to face export bans from the countries supplying those components. A useful illustrative example can be found in the already completed selection process for Argentina’s future Air Force fighter, where the Indian design participated unsuccessfully due to its more than 16 British-origin components, which were subject to veto and could not be replaced in the near future.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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