Abingdonboy
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Valid points sir, however the reason the LUH requirement was split in the first place were the reasons I have outlined above (ensure a tried, tested and proven machine to enter into the forces ASAP and provide a private local partner the opportunity to get into this sector) so HAL taking part in this makes a mockery of the entire thing. Additionally I am quite concerned about the timelines HAL are promising- the first flight of the LUH will be late this year (2015) and the earliest one can expect the bird to get FOC is 2019 so the earliest it can start entering service and retiring the ancient Cheetaks and Cheetahs will be around 2021/22- 6/7 years away!Well, level playing field, let HAL compete and win a for the entire LUH deal. If it passes the technical evaluations provides and good business case, then It would be a good development as it will ease supply chain, commonality in paltforms, lower subsystem costs along with easier retrofits maintenance and simplified logistics.
The entire premise of LCA, ALH like systems, were to build a viable aerospace ecosystems for Indian forces. If the technology gained in ALH can be spinned into LUH, WSO, and LCH then it is a big big success for Indian DPSU's
Going the foreign route the first units can be in service within 5 years (2 years fro trails/evaluations and 3 for first delivery). I am of the mind that the birds these new generation of LUHs are replacing (Cheetak and Cheetah) need to be replaced ASAP, some will be 50 years old by 2020 and they are already taking the lives of aircrews this is a situation that cannot be allowed to continue. A foreign LUH would be a proven quantity, the HAL LUH is yet to have even a engine ground run and there is a LOT that could go wrong with it and delay the project and thus push back the induction date.
My view is let HAL get on with their LUH which will be of great utility to India in the long run but to negate the potential risks associated with this the foreign LUH purchase is a must and that it will allow for setting up an entirely separate production line in India operated by a private player in India and will come with ToT for that entity allowing for a huge amount of benefits for Indian industry in the long term also. This seems like a win win scenario.