The story told was that the government was being duped by the IAF, and that parts of the IAF plan to continue to buy foreign, with the huge kickbacks that such a policy produces, are favoured by Modi because they may involve a convenient way to curry favour with the Americans.
The thing about imports is they work. And the stuff being imported has no equivalent in India anyway. So there is no real clash of interests here.
Public reports indicate that the IAF is strongly against further association with the PAK-FA programme, that is supposed to feed into the FGFA. So part of this narrative in the post may be true.
It's true. The recent criticism was done by an Air Vice Marshal, so there is truth in the report. But what's also true is the IAF has been talking about the Stage 1 program all along, not Stage 2. This program doesn't really interfere with the other planned imports in terms of requirements, but the problem is that of funding. If the govt goes ahead with FGFA, Rafale will not get further funding, at least for now, and the IAF doesn't like that. So the IAF is cleverly using the Stage 1 bogey to criticize the program.
It's perfectly understandable because the Rafale is available today while FGFA will be a reality only in 2028. I just hope the govt plans both programs properly.
Not the point. The Mark 2s will not be developed. The possibility of a naval version is in doubt. If so, there is far more difficulty in bridging the gap to the AMCA.
All variants will be developed, all the programs under LCA mk2 have already been sanctioned, all the materials necessary for the projects have been ordered and manpower has been allocated to all these projects. Karnad is high on weed half the time, he's very sensationalist. So take his fear-mongering with a fistful of salt.
LCA will happen. Ghatak will happen. So will AMCA. Let's not forget that Ghatak will be the real springboard towards AMCA. LCA has done most of what it's meant to do for the AMCA program, like the FBW, undercarriage, radar and other sensors, even the indigenous supersonic-capable engine is nearing completion.
The point is Mark 2 will be developed, but it most likely won't be inducted because they are expecting success with the Mark 1A program. Mk1A will give the IAF all the jets they need.
The story told was that the government was being duped by the IAF, and that parts of the IAF plan to continue to buy foreign, with the huge kickbacks that such a policy produces, are favoured by Modi because they may involve a convenient way to curry favour with the Americans.
Public reports indicate that the IAF is strongly against further association with the PAK-FA programme, that is supposed to feed into the FGFA. So part of this narrative in the post may be true.
Not the point. The Mark 2s will not be developed. The possibility of a naval version is in doubt. If so, there is far more difficulty in bridging the gap to the AMCA.
N-LCA Mk2 long lead items have already been procured. IAF Mk2 has already entered production as of last year and I think they are starting or have already started the production of the N-LCA Mk2. So both prototypes are set to fly between 2019 and 2021.
But the Mk1A will be superior to the IAF's Mk2 because the aircraft will see a weight reduction of as much as 1T. So the TWR and other parameters will improve drastically compared to the Mk1. If we stick the Kaveri engine on it, it will completely murder the Mk2 program. But what this means is the IAF won't buy Mk2, but the program itself will see full R&D. It may become part of HAL's export thrust in the future.
