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With the recent additional requirements included for MK1A theprogram is bound to get delayed which means the first 40 would be of MK1 only.
There are chances of delays. But a lot of the stuff asked for can be done concurrently.
For example, the IAF has asked for new stuff on the last 83 jets. But that doesn't stop HAL from delivering the next 20 jets in Mk1A format without the extra stuff. IAF wants 20 more Mk1, and if they get 20 Mk1A instead, it's better for the IAF. It's just new anjar-panjar, so add it all in at a later date.
Of course, HAL can always fall back to Mk1-FOC instead. This decision can be taken 2 years before delivery, that's 2019 anyway. As long as the airframe is Mk1A standards, it's all good.
Another problem is that article is from Ajai Shukla. I personally believe even the FGFA program is active, only pushed back by a year or two in favour of the MMRCA and MKI upgrade programs.
This program is heavily dependent on the ToT from the MMRCA 2.0 which will run from 2023 through 2029.
No. ToT from MMRCA 2.0 won't even come into the picture until late 2020. We will be lucky to sign the contract in 2023 and start receiving ToT piecemeal after Mk2 gets IOC.
I gave you the tentative date by ADA. ADA expects to get IOC in 2025. So we will get the first jet in 2028, around the time Mk2 will get FOC. I don't believe the 2025 date of course, but FWIW, that's the official date right now.