Why has India struggled to buy fighter aircraft?

[friendly_troll96]

because of her LPC tejas

 

[Han Patriot]

The article doesn't say anything about not inducting Tejas, they are making a case for inducting another single engine fighter apart from Tejas.

Not to mention, all of the comparison is only between the Mk1 design at its worst and Gripen and F-16 at their best.

Even after saying all that, the IAF is still interested in as many as 180 Tejas.



Hardly true. Nothing's being shoved down their throat. They have created hurdles for the aircraft and it must cross those hurdles before the Tejas is inducted. If the Tejas crosses those hurdles, it will be as good as any other contemporary western 4.5th gen aircraft.

After having seen the progress of Tejas, the IAF is likely going to shift their gaze towards Rafale again, rather than Gripen.

I hope it can be a good plane, but 4.5 gen? Please stop overestimating yourselves. At most LCA can only achieve gen 4, else this is really just a gen 3+ plane.

 

[ashok321]

https://twitter.com/x/status/935481847206809601

https://twitter.com/x/status/935478063051051008

 

[randomradio]

I hope it can be a good plane, but 4.5 gen? Please stop overestimating yourselves. At most LCA can only achieve gen 4, else this is really just a gen 3+ plane.

LCA Mk1 is already gen 4. LCA Mk1A will have a radar that's more advanced than what's on the F-35. Apart from that, the EW suite and other sensors will be integrated, so it's at 4.5th gen level.

Not to mention, the Mk1A will have very high TWR, as much as the F-16's.

Once it goes through phase 2 of the upgrades, due to future Rafale offsets, it will move into a much higher level than just 4.5th gen.

 

[Han Patriot]

LCA Mk1 is already gen 4. LCA Mk1A will have a radar that's more advanced than what's on the F-35. Apart from that, the EW suite and other sensors will be integrated, so it's at 4.5th gen level.

Not to mention, the Mk1A will have very high TWR, as much as the F-16's.

Once it goes through phase 2 of the upgrades, due to future Rafale offsets, it will move into a much higher level than just 4.5th gen.

Sure, gen 4.5 super duper plane and yet IAF thinks it's shitty.

 

[randomradio]

Sure, gen 4.5 super duper plane and yet IAF thinks it's shitty.

Why do you think they are interested in 180 jets then?

 

[Han Patriot]

Why do you think they are interested in 180 jets then?

Are they? Or was it a political hand shoving it down for Indian pride?

https://thediplomat.com/2017/11/ind...ht-combat-aircraft-cant-protect-indian-skies/

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a new report listing several deficiencies found with India’s first domestically designed and produced light fighter aircraft, the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), in yet another push to convince the government to procure foreign-made single engine fighter jets.

According to IAF assessments, the Tejas LCA, when compared to Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen and Lockheed Martin’s F-16, boasts reduced airborne endurance — 59 minutes versus three hours for the Gripen and nearly four hours for the F-16. The Tejas can also only carry a weapons payload of around three tons against nearly six tons by the Gripen and seven tons by the F-16.

Furthermore, maintenance requirements for the Tejas LCA are also higher than with foreign combat aircraft. The Tejas LCA requires 20 hours of serving for every hour of flying against six hours for the Gripen and 3.5 hours for the F-16. In addition, the service life of the Tejas LCA is also half that of the 40 years found in both the Gripen and F-16.

 

[randomradio]

Are they? Or was it a political hand shoving it down for Indian pride?

https://thediplomat.com/2017/11/ind...ht-combat-aircraft-cant-protect-indian-skies/

IAF is never influenced by politics. As long as LCA clears IAF's specs requirement, it will easily cross the definitions of 4.5th gen. Naturally, IAF will buy it, that's their plan.

IAF won't buy LCA if it doesn't clear specs.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

In present scenario just buy LCA and Rafales. That will take care of Indian skies for the next twenty years along with present inventories. Su-30s may continue to be produced.

In the meantime try to focus on AMCA nd just look forward to any 5th generation fighter being developed or sold anywhere. But just talk and see, don't put money there.

And above all focus on engine development. Because once we have it, it is for us to blackmail others.

The problem with LCA is that HAL does not want to increase output beyond a certain number
per year, since that would force them to make investments that would result in selling the Tejas at a loss.
Read this the other day, but do not have a link.
If that is really the case, India would have to reduce the number of squadrons a lot.
That is the problem that the SE project is fixing.

 

[HariVamsha]

The problem with LCA is that HAL does not want to increase output beyond a certain number
per year, since that would force them to make investments that would result in selling the Tejas at a loss.
Read this the other day, but do not have a link.
If that is really the case, India would have to reduce the number of squadrons a lot.
That is the problem that the SE project is fixing.

HAL is owned by the GoI and if and when the MoD decides, HAL will increase its output. Its as simple as that.

You are confusing HAL operations with those of any other privately owned company. Its NOT.

 

[nang2]

I suspect the only reason for the struggle is money. Unlike China, there are many companies in the world that want and are allowed to sell fighter aircraft to India. All India needs is money.