So this will be really good just like we thought so the first time around. I feel this is really the better of all the offers because of the amount of indigenous hardware (and software for that matter) that there are much less 3rd party components to worry about associated headaches.
I also think the Tejas fits perfectly in the EAF. As much as the air force needing at least 2 squadrons of a heavy fighter like the Su-35S, it also needs a large number of light attack combat aircraft and the Tejas fits that role like a glove.
It's not even your average light attack/fighter platform, it's closer to a medium classed fighter because of its payload and performance.
I don't think they'll agree on a contract for that ToT & all those aircraft unless they're sure that the Kaveri engine will eventually transition the GE into the main powerplant.
This is exactly what the EAF should've done with the MiG-35 contract. If there was ever the perfect opportunity to create a ToT fighter program, that was it. I don't think the Su-35S would've been practical or even feasible for that matter because of the level of tech, machining and overall size & complexity of the platform and program.
I hope that once the whole world settles back down a little that they have this Tejas contract all wrapped up with India and ready to go InshaAllah.
Regarding the Indian aircraft engines, which were previously tested with the Russian Hungarian RD-33Mk3, manufactured in India with a license from Russia, it will be equivalent in propulsion capacity to the American GE-404 engine, although America will not object to supplying Egypt with the GE-404 engine with a propulsion capacity of 20,200 pounds, because India’s propulsion capacity in general is limited. It obtains export approvals, even without the exporter’s approval, for the engines that it will manufacture in India in recent agreements in exchange for purchasing large numbers of engines, such as the GE-414 engine, when the agreement related to 400 engines.
The technology transfer process from India depends on the size of the contract. As the numbers increase, the percentage of local components increases. In addition, agreements can be created for the joint development of radars that can be integrated into fighter aircraft. UTTAM radar derivatives will work on several MIG-29/SU-30 fighters and can also be integrated into aircraft. Others, such as the MIRAGE-2000 and other models, India will limit itself to expanding the scope of selling Indian components to a number of countries, in addition to fighters, to obtain markets for its products.
Regarding the MIG-35 order, Egypt has two offers: the J-10C/D or the FC-35, which may enter production lines in 2024 and official service in 2025 in China.
Egypt needed multiple fighters for different missions, especially with the collapse of the armies of Libya and Sudan, which made Egypt need heavy, long-range fighters, while maintaining large numbers of light and medium fighters to expand the theaters of operations, in addition to 40 different air bases. Egypt had 500 MIG-21 aircraft and had 150 F-7 aircraft. All 119 MIRAGE-5 aircraft were taken out of service, compared to 240 F-16 aircraft, 20 MIRAGE-2000 aircraft, and 52 MIG-29M/M2 aircraft. Therefore, compensating for this with large numbers of light fighters is inevitable. India itself decided to introduce 300 LCA TEJAS-MK1A/MK2 aircraft. To replace older aircraft
Egypt is in need of a light fighter to clear the airspace of drones, and also due to the nature of armament in the coming period. As we mentioned previously, there is a need for cruise missiles weighing 700 kilograms that can be carried on MIG-29M / RAFALE LCA fighters. In the case of salt manufacturing, the range will be increased to 500 and then to 800. Kilometers
The new Serbian missile, VELA 2, is similar to the Russian KH-69 missile in weight and range, but at a lower cost than Russian missiles and with ease of joint manufacturing, as Serbia needs a large market for its products and a country that manufactures the products economically and not in limited quantities due to the small size of the Serbian army.
The TEJAS-MK1A plane option is better than the FA-50 BLOCK 20 plane, even if it is improved. The Indian plane is superior in all aircraft indicators, equipment and armament, and is also lower in price and Indian flexibility in transferring technology. It is possible to move directly to the production of the TBDEF plane as a next stage if Egypt does not move to produce the FC-35 plane. With China