AIR FORCE LETTER CREATES CONFUSION ABOUT PLANS TO SET UP INDIA'S DOMESTIC FIGHTER PRODUCTION LINE

[Zarvan]

HAL/ADA TEJAS Light Combat Jet
by Manu Pubby

NEW DELHI: As India plans to set up a domestic fighter production line by opening talks with top aviation giants, a letter sent by the Air Force has created confusion about the plan as well as concern that it may be a death blow to the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) program.

While India has received several unsolicited bids for a Make in India fighter jet from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Saab and even Dassault, an official letter had been dispatched for the first time to several nations earlier this month inviting interest.

However, the contents of the letter are confusing to say the least. The Air Force has asked for replacements to its ‘ageing fleet of single engine fighter aircraft’. The letter says the requirement is for a ‘minimum fourth generation single engine aircraft’ to be indigenously manufactured under the Make in India initiative.

India however has an ongoing production plan for exactly the same kind of fighter – the improved version of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.

Orders for over 120 planes have been assured and the very aim of the Tejas program is to replace the legacy single engine fighters in service – namely the MiG 21 fleet that is at the end of service life.

Efforts are also on to develop a new version of the LCA if the Air Force wants, with a more advanced engine. Secondly, the letter, which is not a formal invitation for bids but more of a consent that foreign nations are ready to take part in a contest, says the Air Force is looking for a medium weight category fighter and is also interested in air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons.

This, when barely a month ago India concluded a protracted procurement process for a new medium multi-role fighter – the French Rafale, 36 of which have been bought for 7.8 billion euro.

The Rafale was originally chosen after it won a techno-commercial contest for a new medium multi-role fighter following detailed evaluation by the air force. Thirdly, the letter seems to indicate that India has forgone any intent of acquiring key weapons or simulator technology as part of the Make in India initiative.

The letter says that the transfer of technology for ‘weapons and simulators is not envisaged’. It also says that the first ‘few aircraft’ will be bought in flyaway condition and remaining to be manufactured here, again forgoing competitive bidding by players for a better deal.

While the letter may not be the final word from India, it brings down a selection to only two contenders with what is already being described as a ‘match fixing’ condition of a single engine fighter.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...hter-production-line/articleshow/54945552.cms

 

[Indus Falcon]

So Indians have finally realized that the only place for TEJAS is in a museum. Good move.

 

[GreenFalcon]

and meanwhile in Pakistan.....

 

[Water Car Engineer]

We have the same threads, just with a new title. Keep the discussion in one place. Tejas isnt going anywhere.

 

[xyxmt]

We have the same threads, just with a new title. Keep the discussion in one place. Tejas isnt going anywhere.

so you confirm Tejas is going nowhere?

 

[WhyCry]

so you confirm Tejas is going nowhere?

Assurance from india, not going in pakistan just yet.

If it does the DGMO will update his counterpart.

 

[Mystery]

Tejas isnt going anywhere.

But in museums

Already find its place on square as a memorial

 

[Water Car Engineer]

so you confirm Tejas is going nowhere?

No, it's under production as we speak, with plans to add another plant. The initial order is 100+, you can bet it wont stop with just that order.

But in museums

Already find its place on square as a memorial

IAF Tejas

Entering last of certification trials for MK1A (Production Models 20+)

And also navy has it's order as well.


You know, it's so easy to mock the Tejas program, but there's going to be a time when you folks wont tread into such threads looking to mock. We see how you now avoid ISRO programs like the plague. It'll be recurring thing. Just sit tight with that $8 billion dollar military budget of yours.

 

[Mystery]

No, it's under production as we speak, with plans to add another plane. The initial order is 100+, you can bet it wont stop with just that order.

IAF Tejas

Entering last of certification trials for MK1A (Production Models 20+)

And also navy has it's order as well.


You know, it's so easy to mock the Tejas program, but there's going to be a time when you folks wont trend into such threads looking to mock. We see how you avoid ISRO programs like a plague. It'll be recurring thing. Just sit tight with that $8 billion dollar military budget of yours.

How many inducted after 40 years of R&D and 35 years in production?

 

[Water Car Engineer]

How many inducted after 40 years of R&D and 35 years in production?

Did the design agency exist 40 years ago?

 

[$@rJen]

No, it's under production as we speak, with plans to add another plane. The initial order is 100+, you can bet it wont stop with just that order.

IAF Tejas

Entering last of certification trials for MK1A (Production Models 20+)

And also navy has it's order as well.


You know, it's so easy to mock the Tejas program, but there's going to be a time when you folks wont tread into such threads looking to mock. We see how you now avoid ISRO programs like the plague. It'll be recurring thing. Just sit tight with that $8 billion dollar military budget of yours.

Nailed it with their budget

 

[GORKHALI]

So Indians have finally realized that the only place for TEJAS is in a museum. Good move.

Yea at least they can move to museum,as you can see Jf current status,they might be extinct even before moving to museum.

 

[xyxmt]

Assurance from india, not going in pakistan just yet.

If it does the DGMO will update his counterpart.

like Surgical strikes

 

[WhyCry]

like Surgical strikes

Tubelight jali

 

[AMCA]

Pakistani's must for once realize that IAF has options and would not settle down for anything but the best unlike PAF which only has the option of Chinese Product for the simple fact that neither any nation would be ready to share any of their high end weaponry with Pakistan, nor Pakistan can ever buy it without soft loans(a deal which only China can provide).

Some members are so proud of inducting JF-17 before Tejas. JF-17 in the eyes of IAF is unfinished and primitive. An aircraft with no HMD/S,cannot fire HOBS, engine is not FADEC, inferior FBW system and no provisions for OBOGS is nothing but a dead duck. Tejas desipte having all of these capabilities is being criticised. What an irony!!