@Capt.Popeye @MilSpec
The comparision with ISRO and DAE is wrong as far as LCA is concerned
ISRO and DAE never had a BREAK of 30 YEARS
This GAP between LCA and HF 24 was what had to be bridged
If you look at LCA timelines 1990 the project design was finalised
In 1990, the design was finalised as a small tailless delta winged machine withrelaxed static stability (RSS) and control-configuration for enhanced manoeuvrability.[8][24][25] A review committee was formed in May 1989, which reported that infrastructure, facilities and technologies in India had advanced sufficiently in most areas and that the project could be undertaken.[25] In October 1987, project definition commenced with France's Dassault Aviation in a reviewing/advisory role; this phase, costing ₹560 crore (US$85 million), was completed in September 1988.[15][20] A two-stage full-scale engineering development (FSED) process was opted for.[15][25]
Then the FIRST flight of TD 1 was in 2001
Today in 2015 we are on the verge of FOC LCA
Add to it the INCREASING demands of IAF through frequent REVISION of ASQR
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Now come to ISRO
The SLV programme was started in 1970 and SLV3 was perfected in 1983
The SLV3 then BECAME ASLV in 1990 and PSLV in 1995 and GSLV in 2014
Similarly satellite programmes started with Arya bhata in 1975 then
Rohini ; Bhaskar ; Apple and FINALLY INSAT satellite
in 1982
The earth observation satellites IRS series also started in 1988
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Coming to DAE
Similarly DAE first started Tarapur Power plant in
1969
The Research activities in BARC had started earlier in CIRUS leading
to Pokhran 1 in 1974
After that there was NO help from the Global community and we went for PHWR
in Kalpakkam ; Narora and the Rest is History
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SO my point is there was NO break of 25 to 30 years in ISRO and DAE activities
The Knowledge GAP was too much to cover for LCA
In 1990 when the project design was finalised then already
Mirage 2000 and F 16 were proven and successful for atleast 10 plus years
Our LCA was supposed to be their equal
But our scientists were aware of only HF 24
@Capt.Popeye
The Government was already
financing ISRO and DAE
DRDO was a LOW priority till SLV 3 was perfected by APJ Abdul Kalam
Thereafter Indira Gandhi started IGMDP
The Integrated Guided Missile Development programme
This was based on the knowledge GAINED from SLV 3
Infact when Prithvi and Agni missiles were tested
ONLY then we came to KNOW about the
existence of DRDO
We had a very weak economy till mid nineties
Add to it the PRESSURE of building a Conventional war fighting capability
which came from Licence manufacture of MiGs and T 72 s
Where was the MONEY till mid nineties to spend on R and D