Brother
@PARIKRAMA @Ind4Ever @dadeechi @MilSpec[/USER] The author have certainly made the point, LCA have a good capabilities, and there is no doubt on that, but 2 points which are raised.
1.
HAL have poor record of making quality product and poor time management in deliveries.
Now looking at the earlier products of the HAL provided to the customer i.e IAF -- its the Mig-21, Jaguar, and Su-30MKI, Cheetak, Cheetal helicopter, Hack jet trainer. Dhruv,
Hal have also delayed the intermidiate jet trainer AJT Sitara too long - 16 years. I remember, it took just 2 years for the HAL for the first flight from the development timeline, and then they could not solve fuel pump problems or rather they are only interested in taking new projects, and left various unsolved business left overs.
There was also one news of boieng ending the contract with the HAL for the poor quality.
Some points like --- HAL CMD is also fairly sophisticated. Check out the facilities.
About Us | Tata HAL Technologies
http://www.tatahal.com/wp-content/uploa ... 5___V2.pdf
http://linkshowcase.com/portfolio/brochure/HAL.pdf
HAL has many such small JVs with private companies.
http://www.hal-india.com/Joint Venture Companies/M__29
Indian aero-engineering community now is quite good at structures with large number of structural engineers with lot of experience. We are good at avionics as well. Aerodynamics and Propulsion is lagging behind though. And of coarse manufacturing technology as a whole.
I have been a supporter of idea of having JV between HAL and private firms for manufacturing of a/c or helicopters. Dis-investing HAL or trashin HAL and going to private fully, both are stupid in my opinion.
EDIT: Old news Item i just found on google.
HAL eyes joint ventures with industries - The Times of India
Shows that HAL has been on this path already, albeit in smaller pieces. I was thinking HAL could also work as incubation center for aerospace specific tech start-ups. GOI can channel some funding through HAL.
2. LCA would be difficult to maintained.
ADA made the mistake, of not designing the LCA on the modular design. And thats true that all the prototypes and the SP series are different than each others, so why blaiming IAF for not taking LCA seriously, when they could not judge which one of the jet to consider for assessment.
So your take, and what do you think on these two things.
Thanks and regards.