samlove
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European Aerospace major Airbus at Paris Air Show earlier this year offered to assist India in Production of Tejas MK-II aircrafts in India with an Indian Private player. India has responded positively and has held a preliminary rounds of dicussions on the offer.
Sources in MoD have told idrw.org that MOD is now ‘seriously’ examining to establish a private-public partnership (PPP) to fast-track setting up of a manufacturing base for Mk-2 variant in order to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) declining fighter fleet.
Public sector Company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) which enjoys complete Monopoly when it comes to production of fighter jets in India, have been severely criticised by Airforce over the years over constant delays in delivery schedules and poor quality of many systems made by HAL .
Airbus with an Indian partner (Mahindra) are interested in creating a Production line for Tejas MK-2 when the aircraft will be ready by 2021 to enter production. Airbus along with Indian partner wants to be involved with the program from the first flight of MK-2 since it will allow them time to set up the supply chain for the aircraft.
In 2013 Swedish company Saab had submitted a proposal for partnering on designing the Mark II and establishing a manufacturing line for the fighter, which was rejected by Indian MOD and Indian air force.
Tejas MK-II variant which will incorporate more powerful GE F414 engine along with aerodynamic and avionics improvements required to meet ASR of IAF, will also address shortcomings in the MK-1 variant of the fighter jet.
