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Modi pushes 'obsolete' Tejas on reluctant military

Windjammer

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NEW DELHI: The government has turned down the military's request to expand the acquisition of 36 fighter planes from Dassault Aviation SA to plug vital gaps, officials said, nudging it to accept an indigenous combat plane 32 years in the making.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision, in line with his Make-in-India policy to encourage domestic industry, is a blow for not only the French manufacturer but also others circling over the Indian military aviation market worth billions of dollars.

The push for India's struggling Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) also comes at a time when the Air Force is at its weakest operational strength since the 1962 war against China, which is causing anxiety within military circles.

Since it took over last year, the Modi administration has repeatedly said its overriding goal is to cut off the military's addiction to foreign arms which has made it the world's top importer.

The Air Force wanted the government to clear an additional 44 Rafale medium multirole aircraft on top of the 36 that Modi announced during a visit to Paris this year that are to be bought off-the-shelf to meet its urgent requirements.

But a defence ministry official said that defence minister Manohar Parrikar had told the Air Force that there weren't enough funds to expand the Rafale acquisition and that it must induct an improved version of the indigenous Tejas-Mark 1A.

"The IAF (Air Force) needs to have a minimum number of aircraft at all times. The LCA is our best option at this stage, given our resource constraints," the defence official said.

"The Rafale is our most expensive acquisition. The LCA is our cheapest in the combat category."

India's air force says it requires 45 fighter squadrons to counter a "two-front collusive threat" from Pakistan and China. But it only has 35 active fighter squadrons, parliament's defence committee said in a report in April citing a presentation by a top air force officer.

With the drawdown of Soviet-era MiG 21 planes under way, the air force would be down to 25 squadrons by 2022 at the current pace of acquisitions, it told the committee.

Cleared by the government in 1983, the LCA designed by the government's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was meant to be the backbone of the air force due for induction in 1994.

Instead, it suffered years of delay and chaos with scientists trying to build the world's most modern light combat aircraft from scratch, including the engine.

Eventually they scrapped the engine, turning to GE Aviation and lowering their ambitions for a state-of-the-art fighter. So far, only one aircraft has been produced and even that is awaiting final operational clearance, now delayed to early 2016.

"In January this year, they had given one LCA ... which had not completed its flight testing. They handed over the papers to us. We do not make a squadron with one aeroplane. That is where we are," said an air force officer speaking on condition of anonymity.

SAFETY CONCERNS

An independent investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India into the LCA programme identified 53 "shortfalls" in the plane. In a report in May, the auditor said that the plane wasn't as light as promised, the fuel capacity and speed were lower than required and there were concerns about safety.

Retired Air Marshal M. Matheswaran, a former deputy chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said the LCA was obsolete.

"It is a very short-range aircraft which has no relevance in today's war fighting scenarios. If you are trying to justify this as a replacement for follow-on Rafales, you are comparing apples with oranges."

He said the plane was at best a technology demonstrator on which Indian engineers could build the next series of aircraft, not something the air force could win a war with.

"We would like to have the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) variety of aircraft. At least about six squadrons, to my mind," the head of the air force, Arup Raha, said at the weekend, referring to the Rafale class of fighters.

But K. Tamilmani, the DRDO's aerospace chief, said the modified version of the Tejas addressed most of the air force concerns. These included electronic warfare system, flight computer, radar and maintenance problems.

"Almost all the problems get solved with the 1A. There will always be scope for improvement, but there are no flight safety issues," he said.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited would be able to ramp production to 16 a year by 2017 to meet the air force's demands, he said.

"We Indians are extremely good at blaming each other - at blaming it all on Indian production."

Dassault declined any comment on the government's decision to cap the Rafale fleet.

A source close to Sweden's Saab, which has been pushing its Gripen light fighter, said that it was respectful of India's decision to try to develop its domestic military base.

"There's still a huge gap that needs to be filled. We are marketing it (the Gripen) under the Make-in-India umbrella," he said. "Even if you add the seven squadrons of the Tejas, there is still a requirement (with MiGs retiring etc). It's a question of timing. Can they build these for when they need them?"

Modi pushes 'obsolete' Tejas on reluctant military - The Times of India
 
Either the IAF gets a solid local platform that is being improved as we speak to make up the sheer numbers needed.....or they can provide the extra revenue needed themselves to import/produce whatever they want in the same number.

Modi should keep cracking the whip as often as necessary so a correct balance is achieved.
 
NEW DELHI: The government has turned down the military's request to expand the acquisition of 36 fighter planes from Dassault Aviation SA to plug vital gaps, officials said, nudging it to accept an indigenous combat plane 32 years in the making.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision, in line with his Make-in-India policy to encourage domestic industry, is a blow for not only the French manufacturer but also others circling over the Indian military aviation market worth billions of dollars.

The push for India's struggling Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) also comes at a time when the Air Force is at its weakest operational strength since the 1962 war against China, which is causing anxiety within military circles.

Since it took over last year, the Modi administration has repeatedly said its overriding goal is to cut off the military's addiction to foreign arms which has made it the world's top importer.

The Air Force wanted the government to clear an additional 44 Rafale medium multirole aircraft on top of the 36 that Modi announced during a visit to Paris this year that are to be bought off-the-shelf to meet its urgent requirements.

But a defence ministry official said that defence minister Manohar Parrikar had told the Air Force that there weren't enough funds to expand the Rafale acquisition and that it must induct an improved version of the indigenous Tejas-Mark 1A.

"The IAF (Air Force) needs to have a minimum number of aircraft at all times. The LCA is our best option at this stage, given our resource constraints," the defence official said.

"The Rafale is our most expensive acquisition. The LCA is our cheapest in the combat category."

India's air force says it requires 45 fighter squadrons to counter a "two-front collusive threat" from Pakistan and China. But it only has 35 active fighter squadrons, parliament's defence committee said in a report in April citing a presentation by a top air force officer.

With the drawdown of Soviet-era MiG 21 planes under way, the air force would be down to 25 squadrons by 2022 at the current pace of acquisitions, it told the committee.

Cleared by the government in 1983, the LCA designed by the government's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was meant to be the backbone of the air force due for induction in 1994.

Instead, it suffered years of delay and chaos with scientists trying to build the world's most modern light combat aircraft from scratch, including the engine.

Eventually they scrapped the engine, turning to GE Aviation and lowering their ambitions for a state-of-the-art fighter. So far, only one aircraft has been produced and even that is awaiting final operational clearance, now delayed to early 2016.

"In January this year, they had given one LCA ... which had not completed its flight testing. They handed over the papers to us. We do not make a squadron with one aeroplane. That is where we are," said an air force officer speaking on condition of anonymity.

SAFETY CONCERNS

An independent investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India into the LCA programme identified 53 "shortfalls" in the plane. In a report in May, the auditor said that the plane wasn't as light as promised, the fuel capacity and speed were lower than required and there were concerns about safety.

Retired Air Marshal M. Matheswaran, a former deputy chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said the LCA was obsolete.

"It is a very short-range aircraft which has no relevance in today's war fighting scenarios. If you are trying to justify this as a replacement for follow-on Rafales, you are comparing apples with oranges."

He said the plane was at best a technology demonstrator on which Indian engineers could build the next series of aircraft, not something the air force could win a war with.

"We would like to have the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) variety of aircraft. At least about six squadrons, to my mind," the head of the air force, Arup Raha, said at the weekend, referring to the Rafale class of fighters.

But K. Tamilmani, the DRDO's aerospace chief, said the modified version of the Tejas addressed most of the air force concerns. These included electronic warfare system, flight computer, radar and maintenance problems.

"Almost all the problems get solved with the 1A. There will always be scope for improvement, but there are no flight safety issues," he said.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited would be able to ramp production to 16 a year by 2017 to meet the air force's demands, he said.

"We Indians are extremely good at blaming each other - at blaming it all on Indian production."

Dassault declined any comment on the government's decision to cap the Rafale fleet.

A source close to Sweden's Saab, which has been pushing its Gripen light fighter, said that it was respectful of India's decision to try to develop its domestic military base.

"There's still a huge gap that needs to be filled. We are marketing it (the Gripen) under the Make-in-India umbrella," he said. "Even if you add the seven squadrons of the Tejas, there is still a requirement (with MiGs retiring etc). It's a question of timing. Can they build these for when they need them?"

Modi pushes 'obsolete' Tejas on reluctant military - The Times of India
Kick to the back on all foreign lobbies
 
Everyone will support this decision as it is a sound one.I'm not against "Expanding Rafale order",but what will fill the gap Mig-21,Mig-23 and Mig-27 will left??

Plus why these m0r0nic newspapers compare 2 different types of aircraft??
 
Now Now Now "this Wind Jammer" Rocks again.....

If we go for an Obsolete Jet, they The Pakistanis should be Most Happy. Their More Capabale Airforce will be able to make mince meat easily!!

Why do Pakistanis mock us its over 30 years in Making...They should Jump with Happyness and say please waste your more money in it....

Now see the benefits we have got.....

On the same point, even if the Tejas is inducted it will be able to take every thing in PAF inventory (Derby/Python + Domiceles Pod are more than Enough!!)

Till date no Pakistani is able to advise me which MAWs system is installed in JF17.

My Pakistani friends, you must write Laurels on Tejas, tell us to put in More money so that this Paper plane is lost to a mild Turbulence, let alone face PAF jets!!
 
Either the IAF gets a solid local platform that is being improved as we speak to make up the sheer numbers needed.....or they can provide the extra revenue needed themselves to import/produce whatever they want in the same number.

Modi should keep cracking the whip as often as necessary so a correct balance is achieved.
But a defence ministry official said that defence minister Manohar Parrikar had told the Air Force that there weren't enough funds to expand the Rafale acquisition and that it must induct an improved version of the indigenous Tejas-Mark-1A.

Now Now Now "this Wind Jammer" Rocks again.....

If we go for an Obsolete Jet, they The Pakistanis should be Most Happy. Their More Capabale Airforce will be able to make mince meat easily!!

Why do Pakistanis mock us its over 30 years in Making...They should Jump with Happyness and say please waste your more money in it....

Now see the benefits we have got.....

On the same point, even if the Tejas is inducted it will be able to take every thing in PAF inventory (Derby/Python + Domiceles Pod are more than Enough!!)

Till date no Pakistani is able to advise me which MAWs system is installed in JF17.

My Pakistani friends, you must write Laurels on Tejas, tell us to put in More money so that this Paper plane is lost to a mild Turbulence, let alone face PAF jets!!

Idiocy has no limits but i guess it helps to be an Indian.
Neither is this article from any Pakistani source, neither have i added any POV to it. but obviously some like you suffering from an inferiority complex will act all brave by dragging in Pakistan and the messenger.
 
So 36 Rafales will be the maximum number that will be inducted into IAF? With upgraded mig 29,mirage 2000 and upto 200 su 30 mki IAF is still a decent air force. I don't know why the indian military planners keep on weeping all the time
 
He
But a defence ministry official said that defence minister Manohar Parrikar had told the Air Force that there weren't enough funds to expand the Rafale acquisition and that it must induct an improved version of the indigenous Tejas-Mark-1A.



Idiocy has no limits but i guess it helps to be an Indian.
Neither is this article from any Pakistani source, neither have i added any POV to it. but obviously some like you suffering from an inferiority complex will act all brave by dragging in Pakistan and the messenger.
Tejas simply cannot replace rafale. Both are for different jobs. Media simply cannot understand what's going on behind the curtain. Just wait and watch what comes out 36 or 144.
 
But a defence ministry official said that defence minister Manohar Parrikar had told the Air Force that there weren't enough funds to expand the Rafale acquisition and that it must induct an improved version of the indigenous Tejas-Mark-1A.

I meant it sarcastically...i.e if IAF wants to follow the phoren is all we will ever accept motto, they can come up with the money themselves....not Indian taxpayer.

This philosophy is also seen in Indian army to a large extent ..for example with them running head over heels to induct T-90 in larger numbers (despite several notable flaws) at the expense of Arjun.

Only Indian Navy has had a solid policy of collaborating then following up with acquisition of major indigenous defence technology.

Shaping the IA and IAF into the mould of IN is a very welcome development being brought by Modi govt and it must be appreciated and strengthened.

We do not need the fancy 10% premium of extra quality and capability per platform at more than 50%+ the cost. Simple numbers and simple long term strategy to wean away from this love affair with imports.
 
So 36 Rafales will be the maximum number that will be inducted into IAF? With upgraded mig 29,mirage 2000 and upto 200 su 30 mki IAF is still a decent air force. I don't know why the indian military planners keep on weeping all the time
for the last many years if not decades IAF top brass dint let go any attempt to put a spanner in the wheel of local defnce manufacturing and tried all types of sabotage and dirty tricks as local manufacturing no matter how potent wont give them free and never ending kickbacks and all the perks like foriegn visits /holidays among other perks

in short : 100 baton ki ek hi baat hai bhiyya band hogaya haraam ka rupyya :D
 
IAF is like a spoilt brat of delhi.
IAF also rejected F-16's, Mig-35. Does that mean they are also obsolete.
 
What are the LCA's real specs. It is heavier than intended so some spec shortfalls resulting from that.

LCA in any form should be India's priority, they should start inducting and introduce changes mid production and via back upgrades as it becomes more mature, its primary objective is to replace InAFs aging aircraft and it is better to them in current form. Revising and waiting for a more advanced version will only compounds problems because by the time the newer version comes out InAF might have pointed out further improvements.
 
Now Now Now "this Wind Jammer" Rocks again.....

If we go for an Obsolete Jet, they The Pakistanis should be Most Happy. Their More Capabale Airforce will be able to make mince meat easily!!

Why do Pakistanis mock us its over 30 years in Making...They should Jump with Happyness and say please waste your more money in it....

Now see the benefits we have got.....

On the same point, even if the Tejas is inducted it will be able to take every thing in PAF inventory (Derby/Python + Domiceles Pod are more than Enough!!)

Till date no Pakistani is able to advise me which MAWs system is installed in JF17.

My Pakistani friends, you must write Laurels on Tejas, tell us to put in More money so that this Paper plane is lost to a mild Turbulence, let alone face PAF jets!!

This is REUTERS not Pakistanis saying all this about Tejas. Why are you crying?
 

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