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For LCA Tejas, it’s now about months, not decades

DeathInvader

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For LCA Tejas, it’s now about months, not decades - The Times of India


NEW DELHI: India's defence R&D establishment will have to fire on all cylinders to fast-track the meandering Tejas light combat aircraft, which is still not fully operational or combat ready, if it does not want the Narendra Modi government to critically re-examine the entire project.

The Tejas project, in fact, may even get some competition in the light-weight fighter category. Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said "some other single-engine, lighter fighter" other than the home-grown Tejas could also be considered for a "Make in India" project to replace the obsolete MiG-21s.

Restricting the acquisition of expensive twin-engine French Rafale fighters to just 36 for now, instead of the original plan for 126 MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft), Parrikar stressed he was trying to plug operational gaps in airpower by improving serviceability of "heavy-weight" Sukhoi-30MKIs as well as "pushing" the DRDO-HAL combine to deliver Tejas faster.

READ ALSO: Tejas achieves another accomplishment in Ladakh

"Don't compare Rafale, a top-end fighter, to MiG-21s, which we will phase out in about six to 10 years. The replacement for MiG-21s will be Tejas or some other single-engine, lighter aircraft. Tejas ki maar bhi kaafi hai (Tejas packs a punch) and it's much better than a MiG-21, but has certain limitations," said Parrikar.

Though some interpreted this to mean impending doom for the Tejas project, a top official dismissed it by clarifying the government was "just keeping all options open" to make "numbers" with IAF down to just 34 fighter squadrons when 44 are needed. "There could be scope for a single-engine fighter, which would be much cheaper than Rafale, somewhere between the capabilities of Rafale and Tejas," he said.



Incidentally, the original plan was that six squadrons each of MMRCA and Tejas would replace the existing 10 Mig-21 and four MiG-27 squadrons. Parrikar, on his part, said, "In the next four to five years, we can add about six LCA squadrons if we push HAL, which I am doing."

DRDO-HAL will certainly need to be pushed on the Tejas project since it's critical for self-reliance in defence production. The first Tejas was handed over to IAF on January 17 but it was in "initial operational configuration (IOC)", which signifies its airworthy but not combat-ready. The pilot training and maintenance manuals are also still not ready, delaying its actual induction into IAF.



The fighter's final operational clearance (FOC), with integration of all weapons like guns, laser-guided bombs and BVR (beyond visual range) missiles as well mid-air refuelling capability, is likely to be delayed beyond the re-revised deadline of December 2015.

The Tejas Mark-II version which the IAF actually wants — with more powerful engines, airframe changes, weight and drag reduction — will begin to come in only by 2021 or so. So, Parrikar will need to do a lot of pushing if he wants swifter deliveries of the multi-role fighters.
 
Why monitor project? Just put up HAL as a publicly listed firm with accountability in revenue generation, sales, production and profitability.

List them like all oil firms and other PSUs that are actually productive.

Enough of grants.

Parikkar is using the Gripen-E threat against Tejas.
 
Why monitor project? Just put up HAL as a publicly listed firm with accountability in revenue generation, sales, production and profitability.

List them like all oil firms and other PSUs that are actually productive.

Enough of grants.

Parikkar is using the Gripen-E threat against Tejas.
Just fyi, HAL has nothing to do with LCA delays.... MoD is incriminating itself, ADA is a IAF-MoD brainchild.
 
Just fyi, HAL has nothing to do with LCA delays.... MoD is incriminating itself, ADA is a IAF-MoD brainchild.

ADA only designs, tests and develops. HAL is what has to ultimately manufacture the jets en masse.

But you're right in a way. ADA and HAL should be merged as one company and be floated as a publicly listed stock company in India. That'd teach them lessons.

Besides, you should know that there were political pressures earlier to tall the Tejas as much as possible.
 
Why monitor project? Just put up HAL as a publicly listed firm with accountability in revenue generation, sales, production and profitability.

List them like all oil firms and other PSUs that are actually productive.

Enough of grants.

Parikkar is using the Gripen-E threat against Tejas.

I really love Gripen-E though

@waz @WebMaster can you please merge the three threads on the same topic. Thank you so much
 
if it does not want the Narendra Modi government to critically re-examine the entire project.


Do you know what does it means???


It means "Ga** me ******" . Def Min (and PM) is angry on IAF and ADA.. If they don't work efficiently , few head will roll...
 
Should we get Gripen on lease for 10 years? just like some EU countries to fill the gap
 
Do you know what does it means???


It means "Ga** me ******" . Def Min (and PM) is angry on IAF and ADA.. If they don't work efficiently , few head will roll...


It has to be this way now bro. How much delays to bear with? any sane government would take this action.
 
"In the next four to five years, we can add about six LCA squadrons if we push HAL, which I am doing."


He said it, Consider it Done, I know this Guy... He is crazy horse.. He work like madman.. He is workaholic (and honest).. (Though Saint Anthony was also honest but he was spineless coward like MMS)

(Once I met this Guy waiting for flight Bangalore Airport, I recognized him. He Sushh me. There were many ppl there who didn't recognize Manohar I had good chat with him.. Imagine chatting with CM for 15 mins.. He impressed me to core)....
 
This statement looks promising...

Incidentally, the original plan was that six squadrons each of MMRCA and Tejas would replace the existing 10 Mig-21 and four MiG-27 squadrons. Parrikar, on his part, said, "In the next four to five years, we can add about six LCA squadrons if we push HAL, which I am doing."
 
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