HAL Tejas | Updates, News & Discussions-[Thread 2]

[migflug]

6 squadrons Tejas MK2 confirmed by IAF. But MRFA still on top of the stack

 

[Two banks of the River]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565176101810601985

 

[MirageBlue]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565184394423177216

Confirmed. the GoI's Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by the PM Modi has cleared the sanction for the Tejas Mk2 program at a cost of Rs 10,000 crores (~USD 1.5 billion). That includes the development of prototypes, flight testing, etc.

Roll-out in 2023,
First flight is to be in 2024.
Development is to be completed by 2027 as per the ADA Chief Dr Girish Deodhare.

The bigger CCS clearance for the AMCA is supposed to follow through in the next few months. That'll be a LOT more expensive.

 

[MirageBlue]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1564664262932381696

Open source HAL documents confirm that the two airframes allocated as 'prototypes' of the LCA MK1A are the: •SP-25 (LA-5021) •LSP-08 (KH-2018)

LSP-08 during A2A refueling trials

 

[MirageBlue]

Beautiful shot of a Tejas trainer zooming away after takeoff

 

[Two banks of the River]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565373870651342848

 

[lightoftruth]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565184394423177216

Confirmed. the GoI's Cabinet Committee on Security chaired by the PM Modi has cleared the sanction for the Tejas Mk2 program at a cost of Rs 10,000 crores (~USD 1.5 billion). That includes the development of prototypes, flight testing, etc.

Roll-out in 2023,
First flight is to be in 2024.
Development is to be completed by 2027 as per the ADA Chief Dr Girish Deodhare.

The bigger CCS clearance for the AMCA is supposed to follow through in the next few months. That'll be a LOT more expensive.

Seems to be delayed by few months ,was expecting first flight in 2023.

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

Seems to be delayed by few months ,was expecting first flight in 2023.

No, it was only 2024.... I hope - no delay further on it.

 

[MirageBlue]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1565373870651342848

This is apparently quite serious. the External Affairs Minister Jaishankar in his address mentioned that the Argentinians have expressed interest in the Tejas and talks are going on.

India acknowledges Argentina's interest in Tejas fighter aircraft

India on Friday acknowledged Argentina's interest in the made-in-India Tejas fighter aircraft for the Argentine Air Force.

The talks on Tejas featured during External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar's two-day official visit to Argentina.

During his meeting with Argentina Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero, EAM Jaishankar reviewed the ongoing cooperation in the strategic sectors of Defence, Nuclear Energy and Space.

Jaishankar and Foriegn Minister Cafiero jointly presided over a Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between the two countries. During the visit, Jaishankar also called on Argentine President Dr Alberto Fernandez.

"India and Argentina reviewed their ongoing cooperation in the strategic sectors of Defence, Nuclear Energy and Space and reiterated their commitment to work together for mutual benefit," the Joint statement said.Both said agreed to enhance cooperation in the Defence sector within the framework of the MOU on Defence Cooperation signed in 2019.

The two sides also explored expanding the scope of their partnership through, inter-alia, and the conclusion of further MOUs/Agreements.

"EAM, acknowledging Argentine interest in the Made in India TEJAS fighter aircrafts for Argentine Air Force, highlighted the importance of the proposal in enhancing the strategic quotient of the bilateral relationship," the statement added.

Both sides agreed to promote the exchange of visits between Armed Forces, defence training and collaboration for joint production of defence-related equipment.

The talks on fighter aircraft come as a number of countries including Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines have shown interest in the Made in India jet. India is indigenous aircraft in the defence market which has caught the eye of several nations for superior flying ability, maneuverability, and ease of handling.

The Indian Air Force had recently equipped the Tejas with the French-origin Hammer air-to-ground stand-off missile along with the indigenous Astra indigenous air-to-air missiles.

Indian armed forces have extensively utilised the delegated financial powers granted to them in different phases by the government to equip themselves with the necessary weaponry to handle any conflict or aggression by enemies on both sides.

The Indian Air Force is strongly supporting the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft programme by adding more and more capabilities to the aircraft.

The IAF has already operationalised two of its squadrons in the initial operational clearance and final operational clearance versions while a contract has been signed for the 83 Mark1As set to be delivered a couple of years from now.

The IAF has also its eyes set on the LCA Mark 2 and the AMCA being developed by the DRDO for it.

 

[Skull and Bones]

This is apparently quite serious. the External Affairs Minister Jaishankar in his address mentioned that the Argentinians have expressed interest in the Tejas and talks are going on.

India acknowledges Argentina's interest in Tejas fighter aircraft

In the joint statement, he addressed Falkland as Malvinas, that points to a shift in the tone.

 

[MirageBlue]

In the joint statement, he addressed Falkland as Malvinas, that points to a shift in the tone.

it might be..they're also referring to Argentina as a Strategic Partner, so clearly ties are on the upswing.

 

[MirageBlue]

More details on the HAL offer of the Tejas Mk1A and Tejas trainer to Argentina

link

State owned Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) during its recent visit to Argentina has offered indigenous Light Combat Aircraft `Tejas’ Mark IA and 2 seater trainers.

Sources have confirmed to Financial Express Online: “Argentina will be looking to export from India two variants of the LCA Tejas. First would be its two-seater operational conversion trainer aircraft, akin to what might be with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The second would be the export variant, the LCA Tejas Mark 1A.”

HAL in Argentina
During meetings in Buenos Aires, the executives from HAL met with the Argentinean Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Julio Guardia, on August 31, 2022. Francisco Cafiero, Argentinean Secretary of International Affairs and Daniela Castro, Secretary of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, also held talks with the HAL delegation the same day. On September 1, HAL met with General Guillermo Pereda, Chief of General Staff, Argentine Armed Forces. A meeting followed this up with Brigadier Xavier Julian Issac, the Chief of General Staff, Argentine Air Force. On September 2, the HAL officials also had discussions with Mirta Iriondo, the President of Fábrica Argentina de Aviones, the foremost aircraft manufacturer in that country.

What is Argentina looking for?
Argentina has been scouting globally for fighter jets to replace its aging Air Force Fleet for a while. Among the possible winners have been the Chinese JF-17, the Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the South Korean FA-50 and the Lockheed Martin’s F-16s. In the past month, between India and Argentina there have been several rounds of visits and meetings. Financial Express Online has reported earlier that external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar was in Argentina as part of his three nation visit to the region. Light Combat Aircraft was discussed during his meetings with his counterpart and other senior officials. Recently, along with the Indian Ambassador to Argentina Dinesh Bhatia, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) executives met with the Argentine Chief of Staff, Argentinian Air Force and other key stakeholders.

Partners, not providers: India’s defence diplomacy at its best
With the Malaysian deal expected to be closed soon, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has set itself apart from others to accommodate the countries. For Malaysia, HAL is set to provide services for their Russian fleets in addition to the LCA Tejas.
For Argentina, the company is open to accommodating the demands of their Air Force. The most challenging task had been replacing all UK-origin components in the LCA Tejas. “It is primarily due to the long-standing dispute of the Falkland Islands between the two,” explained a senior diplomat.
However, it is also a practical ask because HAL cannot go ahead with the sale without a green light from its global providers, including those in the UK. Based on the information in the public domain, in the past decade, Argentina’s efforts to purchase aircraft, including the Saab Gripen from Sweden and later the FA-50 trainer/light fighter from South Korea could not materialize. this was Due to the pressure from the government of Britain.

Argentine interest in HAL has been building positively over time. Reportedly, in March 2022, Argentine Brigadier General D Xavier Julian Issac, Chief of Staff, Argentinian Air Force, visited India along with a pilot. They clocked over 30 minutes in the LCA Tejas trainer variant at a HAL facility and were impressed by the indigenous fighter.
“A similar exercise was conducted by the Chinese, who flew their JF-17 aircraft to Argentina, where the Argentinean Air Force spent a month with the same. In 2021, there were reports of Argentina down selecting the Chinese offering. However, later on, any such development was denied by the officials. Apparently, the Argentine response was also positive for the JF-17, but the US was able to talk them out of considering the Chinese aircraft,” said an official who wished to remain anonymous.

How LCA Tejas stacks against competition?
Reports have indicated that the LCA Tejas will cost Argentina in the ballpark of USD 42 million per aircraft. The South Korean FA-50 would be several million less. However, FA-50, which the Argentine Air Force has already, comes without missiles, adding to the costs after the fact.

...

However, the F-16 sale to Argentina has been marred by London’s predicament over the Falkland Islands issue. Washington might push for second-hand F-16s to be sold to Argentina to check Beijing’s foothold in its backyard.”

....

After its Mirage fighters left, it chose the Israeli Kfir Block 60s to revive its supersonic fighter capability. However, this deal fell through when the US refused to grant the export license for the engine.
..

 

[Two banks of the River]

More details on the HAL offer of the Tejas Mk1A and Tejas trainer to Argentina

link

https://twitter.com/x/status/1568815115524542464

Tejas is cheaper than FA50 and only slightly more costly than JF17. If HAL-MoD works together, we can get multiple deals.

 

[CSAW]

Can someone share LCA pictures integrated with
-Hammer
-iDerby
-Astra BVR

 

[MirageBlue]

View attachment 877892

Can someone share LCA pictures integrated with
-Hammer
-iDerby
-Astra BVR

No images with the Hammer as yet. AFAIK, the integration is in progress and no test drops have been conducted yet.

Astra Mk1 BVRAAM integration on a Tejas Mk1 can be seen in the image below. No carriage, drop or flight trials pictures as yet. Not sure if they've been conducted or not either.

There are images of the Tejas firing the iDerby BVRAAM and Python V