DRDO claim on LCA export premature: Former top IAF officers

[Rahul9090]

New Delhi: DRDO's claim about being in a position to export Light Combat Aircraft Tejas has been dismissed as premature and unrealistic by former top IAF officers who want it to focus on getting the indigenous fighter plane inducted into own air force first.

"It is good to have ambitions but there are several miles to go before we can talk or think about exporting LCA.

"It is too early to talk about this as it has to be fist inducted into IAF before we take a decision on selling these planes," former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy said.

He was reacting to DRDO's claim that it can sell light-weight multirole LCA to friendly foreign countries in future.

Krishnaswamy said DRDO and the country will have to be "realistic" as for exporting the aircraft. The country will have to make huge investments to create a new and big production line for mass production of these aircraft, he said.

The development of the home-grown fighter aircraft, which recently got 'Initial Operational Clearance' by IAF, has already taken 30 years at an estimated cost of over Rs 17,000 crore.

However, the induction is still awaited as IAF has not yet given the 'Final Operation Clearance'.

Production of the aircraft is estimated to push up the cost further.

Krishnaswamy said when it comes to exporting combat aircraft or helicopters, the seller has to provide long-term fleet support to the customer countries and "DRDO has no exposure to such fleet management practices".

"We had exported some choppers to a country and one of them crashed during the national day parade of that particular nation.

"So, we should first focus on developing the aircraft for our own requirements and then think of other things," he said.

Krishnaswamy said the first indigenously built bomber HF-24 Marut aircraft had to go through several modifications due to problems experienced in it even several years after it was inducted in IAF.


DRDO claim on LCA export premature: Former top IAF officers

 

[oFFbEAT]

Their(IAF officers) a**es are burning on hearing the truth.........which they have rejected intentionally so far to fill their own pockets through foreign deals..........

 

[AUz]

lol, they need IAF officers for that?

Any sane member here can tell that tejas has been an epic failure till now. It is behind on schedule, mismanaged, and a thorough disappointment as of now.

It first needs to be deployed with indian Air Force...two-three squadrons---only then we can talk about exporting.

 

[cloud_9]

Their(IAF officers) a**es are burning on hearing the truth.........which they have rejected intentionally so far to fill their own pockets through foreign deals..........

How many LCA's are in service in IAF ?
How can DRDO have brain farts about exporting something which is not available in the home country.

 

[Donatello]

Their(IAF officers) a**es are burning on hearing the truth.........which they have rejected intentionally so far to fill their own pockets through foreign deals..........

Or maybe, the plane has nothing to show for export? It's still not fully inducted in IAF, the prime contractor, how can the other nations even look at it?

lol, they need IAF officers for that?

Any sane member here can tell that tejas has been an epic failure till now. It is behind on schedule, mismanaged, and a thorough disappointment as of now.

It first needs to be deployed with indian Air Force...two-three squadrons---only then we can talk about exporting.

Sshh,

LCA can take you to Mars and back in 2 days.

 

[NKVD]

New Delhi: DRDO's claim about being in a position to export Light Combat Aircraft Tejas has been dismissed as premature and unrealistic by former top IAF officers who want it to focus on getting the indigenous fighter plane inducted into own air force first.

"It is good to have ambitions but there are several miles to go before we can talk or think about exporting LCA.

"It is too early to talk about this as it has to be fist inducted into IAF before we take a decision on selling these planes," former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy said.

He was reacting to DRDO's claim that it can sell light-weight multirole LCA to friendly foreign countries in future.

Krishnaswamy said DRDO and the country will have to be "realistic" as for exporting the aircraft. The country will have to make huge investments to create a new and big production line for mass production of these aircraft, he said.

The development of the home-grown fighter aircraft, which recently got 'Initial Operational Clearance' by IAF, has already taken 30 years at an estimated cost of over Rs 17,000 crore.

However, the induction is still awaited as IAF has not yet given the 'Final Operation Clearance'.

Production of the aircraft is estimated to push up the cost further.

Krishnaswamy said when it comes to exporting combat aircraft or helicopters, the seller has to provide long-term fleet support to the customer countries and "DRDO has no exposure to such fleet management practices".

"We had exported some choppers to a country and one of them crashed during the national day parade of that particular nation.

"So, we should first focus on developing the aircraft for our own requirements and then think of other things," he said.

Krishnaswamy said the first indigenously built bomber HF-24 Marut aircraft had to go through several modifications due to problems experienced in it even several years after it was inducted in IAF.


DRDO claim on LCA export premature: Former top IAF officers

Realistic approach by pilot but he should be to naive in this case Lca is far better than Marut as it's gone through many trials and testing process and secondly Indian aeronautical establishment is Far more Evolved than it was in 70's at time of Marut fighter . Some of the component's LCA uses including engine and Avionics is highly reputed and tested by various AF'S in the world. very high used of Carbon composites and Futuristic Airframe make it lethal fighter with any contemporary aircraft of the same class in service.

 

[AUz]

Sshh,

LCA can take you to Mars and back in 2 days.

Sorry, didn't know Tejas acquired this capability too

 

[Sulman Badshah]

Why DRDO give comments on the export of LCA ??? while It is a project of HAL

 

[Ridd]

The LCA needs to be marketed internationally,seeing as IAF officers are very keen on retirement plans for themselves.

 

[AUz]

Some LCA component's LCA uses including engine and Avionics is highly reputed and tested plus very high used of Carbon composites and Futuristic Airframe make it lethal fighter with any contemporary aircraft of the same class in service.

Teja's airframe and use of composites is a decades-old thing.

I can show you alot of planes from 80's/90's with composites and Delta-wing design (which came in 70's...even older. lol)

Does Tejas have DSI? I'd like to see some pictures of that.

JF-17 Thunder for example is a solid pre-2000's design with sophisticated design-features like DSI and sharp finishing making it sleek, maneuverable, and easy-to-main fighter jet. That design is armed with sophisticated avionics, long-range radar, and 21st century data-link and weapon systems.

A very brilliant package over-all and a fighter jet to be reckoned with.

Tejas original goal was the same. It failed to achieve it though---as of now.

JF-17 Thunder already has more than 10,000 flight hours, thousands of sorties, and has engaged in combat exercises with aircrafts such as F-16s, Miraages, J-10Bs, and Su-27/30s etc.

A viscous dog-fighter and a lethal long-range aircraft with effective design. Gives F-16 a runs for its money when it comes to maneuverability.

Tejas has not developed to this level as of now.

 

[oFFbEAT]

How many LCA's are in service in IAF ?
How can DRDO have brain farts about exporting something which is not available in the home country.

There ain't any because the corrupt top brass of IAF are always against its proper induction...so that their pockets always remain filled with kick-backs from foreign deals................now that the truth is out, they're trying to defend their treacherous actions so far....

DRDO made a clever move here, going against the corrupt IAF top brass directly and pushing for 'Tejas' induction was probably proving to be difficult ......so they subtly put forward that they are ready to export 'Tejas' along with other things............

 

[Koovie]

Their(IAF officers) a**es are burning on hearing the truth.........which they have rejected intentionally so far to fill their own pockets through foreign deals..........

Instead if making such statements without proof about people who actually know what they are talking about (Unlike the talking done by fanboys on PDF) you should try to understand that DRDO is known for talking much before delivering!

 

[spectribution]

Problem with IAF is they don't accept a platform unless it is 100% ready. Same with SU 30 MKI, first there were SU 30 MK/SU 30 Ms but IAF refused to use those in large numbers. They held out until MKI came. That was a top end Russian fighter arguably Asia's best.

Imagine this process happening with an Indian made replacement for their beloved MiG 21 BiS. They won't induct it until it is 110% ready for combat. Even F 16 when inducted could not fire BVRAAM missiles until 1989. Tejas is being forced to do it before induction!

Having said that Tejas does have many great feature thta make it stand apart from the rest of it's contemporaries like the F 16 A/B, JF 17, Gripen C/D, etc.

1> High Thrust to Weight Ratio 1:1.07
2> Very Low Wing Loading 50lbs/sqft.
3> Very high thrust engine GE 404 IN20 (89KN with afterburner)
4> Advanced composite usage upto 45% of airframe structure, second highest in any fighter aircraft after Eurofighter giving it very low overall weight (lightest 4+ Generation Fighter) and high degree of stealth.
5> RCS is effectively 1/3 of Mirage 2000H due to RAM material usage as well as composite usage meaning RCS is 0.3 msq.
6> 8 hardpoints.
7> Mach 2 CAS, Mach 1.6 operable limit.
8> FLIR pod enabled with passive IRST.
9> 150KM for 3/5msq target detection capable ELTA 2032 hybrid radar, 150km for air to ground tank sized target, 300km for destroyer sized target at naval engagements.
10> All Axis Digital FCS with Quadruplex Computers.
11> Mach 1.1 at sea level.
12> Naval variant under development.
13> 65 % Indigenous Components used.
14> Elbit Systems DASH III Helmet Mounted Display System for targetting using high bore offsight missiles.
15> Very affordable $ 26,000,000 - 28,000,000 only.

Teja's airframe and use of composites is a decades-old thing.

I can show you alot of planes from 80's/90's with composites and Delta-wing design (which came in 70's...even older. lol)

Does Tejas have DSI? I'd like to see some pictures of that.

Then why does'nt JF 17 have any of the above except the 15> point? DSI is not used by any modern fighter other than F 35. JF 17 by today's standards is a 3rd + generation fighter like MiG 21 and F 7 UPG.

 

[Donatello]

There ain't any because the corrupt top brass of IAF are always against its proper induction...so that their pockets always remain filled with kick-backs from foreign deals................now that the truth is out, they're trying to defend their treacherous actions so far....

DRDO made a clever move here, going against the corrupt IAF top brass directly and pushing for 'Tejas' induction was probably proving to be difficult ......so they subtly put forward that they are ready to export 'Tejas' along with other things............

They can push it for export, but who is going to buy an untested plane? That tests have to be done by the IAF and until and unless a large amount of data is available, which is not at the moment, LCA will struggle finding export orders. Plus in a similar price range, JF-17 is up for exports, fully integrated and tested with number of munitions, including a true BVR missile. So LCA's export market is very much limited.

 

[AUz]

Problem with IAF is they don't accept a platform unless it is 100% ready. Same with SU 30 MKI, first there were SU 30 MK/SU 30 Ms but IAF refused to use those in large numbers. They held out until MKI came. That was a top end Russian fighter arguably Asia's best.

Imagine this process happening with an Indian made replacement for their beloved MiG 21 BiS. They won't induct it until it is 110% ready for combat. Even F 16 when inducted could not fire BVRAAM missiles until 1989. Tejas is being forced to do it before induction!

Having said that Tejas does have many great feature thta make it stand apart from the rest of it's contemporaries like the F 16 A/B, JF 17, Gripen C/D, etc.

1> High Thrust to Weight Ratio 1:1.07
2> Very Low Wing Loading 50lbs/sqft.
3> Very high thrust engine GE 404 IN20 (89KN with afterburner)
4> Advanced composite usage upto 45% of airframe structure, second highest in any fighter aircraft after Eurofighter giving it very low overall weight (lightest 4+ Generation Fighter) and high degree of stealth.
5> RCS is effectively 1/3 of Mirage 2000H due to RAM material usage as well as composite usage meaning RCS is 0.3 msq.
6> 8 hardpoints.
7> Mach 2 CAS, Mach 1.6 operable limit.
8> FLIR pod enabled with passive IRST.
9> 150KM for 3/5msq target detection capable ELTA 2032 hybrid radar, 150km for air to ground tank sized target, 300km for destroyer sized target at naval engagements.
10> All Axis Digital FCS with Quadruplex Computers.
11> Mach 1.1 at sea level.
12> Naval variant under development.
13> 65 % Indigenous Components used.
14> Elbit Systems DASH III Helmet Mounted Display System for targetting using high bore offsight missiles.
15> Very affordable $ 26,000,000 - 28,000,000 only.



Then why does'nt JF 17 have any of the above except the 15> point? DSI is not used by any modern fighter other than F 35. JF 17 by today's standards is a 3rd + generation fighter like MiG 21 and F 7 UPG.

Here's comes another junior, delusional indian making fool of himself.

Can you tell me what is the combat radius of Tejas? Thanks.