First of all, congratulations, it’s another step to make Tejas a reality. But there’s many more to take.
Firstly: According to the Indian Defence minister, if this jet was ordered in 2019, the first production would start in 2023 and the first jet would be delivered in 2025. Since it is ordered in 2021, going by the same time frame, the first one will be delivered beyond 2025.
Source:
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/t...anufactured-lca-tejas-s-advanced-version.html
And it's done! Phew. In what will be the biggest, and most industrially crucial contract for indigenous aviation, the Indian MoD today cleared the decks for a long-anticipated $5.2 billion deal for 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighters in the Mk1A configuration. In a statement, the MoD...
www.livefistdefence.com
secondly:
One Tejas costs the IAF 40+ million dollars without spares and maintenance. Which is very expensive for a light fighter that’s supposed to be indigenous. More expensive than an MKi.
Source:
India News: BENGALURU: Staring at a depleting order book, defence PUS Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — negotiating price for the 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LC.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
thirdly:
The production capability of HAL is not 20 jets a year, in fact they are currently trying to expand it to 16 a year. Which means it’s currently lower (has been 8 so far I think)
source:
To an Indian, the LCA Tejas is a matter of pride and joy. It is the first time that the military-industrial complex, along with a number…
medium.com
Four more aircraft expected to join squadron soon
www.thehindu.com
Lastly: This is the Mk1A, which is finally comparable to the current version of the thunder, the previous Tejas is quite a sub par jet for its class which is why it was mainly rejected by the IAF and the Navy. This is not anything revolutionary so far. But it’s a great jet. Besides the price.
and to the Indian members mocking the Thunder for being a Chinese jet, please note that only 59% of the Tejas is made in India (by Value) Which is about the same % of the thunder which is made in Pakistan (slightly lower actually). It is true that 70% of the parts for it are made in India, but a wheel and a screw is not hard to make.
This is from India’s defense minister as well, from one of the cabinet meetings.
Source:
In a few cases, HAL has entered into repair agreements for a number of items to locally repair the items and for balance, they are in the process of entering into Long Term Repair and Maintenance Agreement (LTRMA).
indianexpress.com
I’m not here to argue which jet is better or worst or to mock the Tejas. But you have to remember that in a war it won’t matter Wether the jet is Chinese, Pakistani, Indian or from somewhere else, what will matter is if it’s available and it flies. And due to that solely the thunder project is more successful so far. Nobody can deny the Chinese helped the Pakistanis with it obviously, but does that make it a bad jet? Not at all.
Does that mean that India automatically has an inferior Air Force and defense industry? No as well.
So can the Pakistanis for once not just come here to bash the Tejas as well? Or then at least not get offended when the Indians bash the thunder? It’s a defense forum not a defense argument site. It just ruins the entire thread.