Why waste precious resources on useless projects. Focus on Tejas and AMCA. Too much on the place already if we count TEDBF!!
Tejas Mk1A is well past any design stage. It is on track for delivery to the IAF by February 2023.
Tejas Mk2 has cleared CDR and prototype fabrication is where all the action is currently, apart from all the avionics and software development that will be going on.
TEDBF has had PDR documents submitted to the MoD and IAF for review. Once it clears that, CCS sanction may be sought. After that CDR, which will cut down the time for prototype fabrication after CDR is cleared. On the Tejas Mk2, more than a year was lost between CDR being passed and CCS sanction coming through, which unnecessarily delayed the program's funding.
AMCA is in CDR stage as of now, should hopefully clear it by mid to end of this year. CCS sanction could come before or after that. Prototype fab after CCS sanction.
HAL HTT-40 has now moved to manufacturing, with HAL Nashik being chosen for setting up the assembly line for it. As of now 70 HTT-40s are on order.
HAL HJT-36's status is as yet unclear since it cleared 6 turn spin trials on both left and right sides early last year. Hopefully it too should clear all certification requirements and an order should be placed to replace any remaining Kiran Mk2s.
So as you can see, HAL's engineers are not necessarily all tied up. ADA's engineers are, for sure.
HAL was obviously going to move on to the Hawk replacement AJT design, but this is more than just an AJT, it's a supersonic LIFT, along the lines of the T-50, T-7A and Hurjet.
My only question is why a clean sheet design now? Why not build on a LCA Tejas twin seat design? The answer may lie in the materials used, to keep the cost more manageable.