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

[NG Missile Vessels]

First Tejas Mk1A will likely be ready earlier than the original target date of February 2024.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1659576408966873089

 

[MirageBlue]

Tejas Mk1 performing IFR buddy refueling from a Su-30MKI

https://twitter.com/x/status/1659897811943710720

Updates from HAL on the Tejas Mk2 and the question about the US Govt approving ToT for the GE F-414 which India wants to build in India at HAL facilities.

 

[MirageBlue]

HAL CMD on the Tejas Mk1A orders and how they're targeting to deliver more than 16 per year by leveraging the new assembly line inaugurated at HAL Nashik.

 

[MirageBlue]

While not strictly related to the Tejas Mk1, this is definitely one of the critical steps for the manufacture of the Tejas Mk2, TEDBF and AMCA prototypes.

The US Govt. has approved the co production of GE F-414 engines in India with ToT.

 

[Ali_Baba]

While not strictly related to the Tejas Mk1, this is definitely one of the critical steps for the manufacture of the Tejas Mk2, TEDBF and AMCA prototypes.

The US Govt. has approved the co production of GE F-414 engines in India with ToT.

Time will tell what this deal means and how much India "truly gets". The Term "TOT" and "complete license transfer" and "complete technology" transfer get banded about alot in India defence procurements and in time we discover it is not as complete or as rosey.

India got "complete license transfer and technology transfer of the Saturn AL-31 to allow it build it from raw materials" - only to discover years later, that is not the case. India's TOT for AL-31 did not give it the technology to learn and build its own engines - so will this GE 414 deal provide that ? I suspect not - but that is my view - and time will tell...

The GE 414 is an impressive engine for sure..

 

[VkdIndian]

India got "complete license transfer and technology transfer of the Saturn AL-31 to allow it build it from raw materials" - only to discover years later, that is not the case. India's TOT for AL-31 did not give it the technology to learn and build its own engines

That’s true. Technology transfer for AL-31 wasn’t used properly due to inter-departmental rivalry. Strange situation but happens all the time in India. Departments become bigger than the country.

@MirageBlue , any update on MK IA. Start of production or completion of integration and testing etc?

 

[NAVDEEP DHALIWAL]

That’s true. Technology transfer for AL-31 wasn’t used properly due to inter-departmental rivalry. Strange situation but happens all the time in India. Departments become bigger than the country.

@MirageBlue , any update on MK IA. Start of production or completion of integration and testing etc?

Do you have any proof ? I think India used the technology as much as it can. We can still make the engine , now improving it or creating new derivative is totally diff thing.
No 1 gives complete technology for engines to any1.
Certainly not US.

 

[VkdIndian]

Do you have any proof ?

No proof. Heard it from someone.
We should have been able to fabricate few critical parts for Kaveri based on AL-31 TOT. Which didn’t happen. Single crystal blades know how has just been matured by DRDO. Complete free flow of collaboration was lacking between HAL and DRDO on certain key areas while capability existed. Please don’t ask for proof since I can’t provide one.

GE is unlikely to part with “why” aspect of any tech. They might give “how” though.

 

[MirageBlue]

Time will tell what this deal means and how much India "truly gets". The Term "TOT" and "complete license transfer" and "complete technology" transfer get banded about alot in India defence procurements and in time we discover it is not as complete or as rosey.

India got "complete license transfer and technology transfer of the Saturn AL-31 to allow it build it from raw materials" - only to discover years later, that is not the case. India's TOT for AL-31 did not give it the technology to learn and build its own engines - so will this GE 414 deal provide that ? I suspect not - but that is my view - and time will tell...

The GE 414 is an impressive engine for sure..

There is a difference between Transfer of Technology for manufacturing, maintenance and repair and Transfer of Knowhow, which is design related and very unlikely to be shared since it takes engine manufacturers billions of $ and years to perfect their IPR.

But this is still going to lead to Indian companies obtaining and learning to use several technologies and very high end manufacturing related to exotic extremely high temp alloys, blisks, composites in engines, etc. from this deal. Some of which were already done in India via AL-31FP deal and Kaveri engine program, but this will be a full generation ahead of that.

What is most important though, is that they will be building a very capable, extremely reliable Western engine in the hundreds, eventually getting to build it from raw materials. Hopefully without any imported parts at all, so that the IAF's fighter fleet of Tejas Mk2, AMCA and IN's TEDBF are sanction proof.

How this will pan out for the AMCA Mk2 with the higher 110 kN thrust engine is to be seen. Safran and Rolls Royce were also in talks but with this deal GE may be in pole position.

 

[MirageBlue]

That’s true. Technology transfer for AL-31 wasn’t used properly due to inter-departmental rivalry. Strange situation but happens all the time in India. Departments become bigger than the country.

@MirageBlue , any update on MK IA. Start of production or completion of integration and testing etc?

As stated by the HAL Chairman, the first Tejas Mk1A airframe will be ready by July 2023. They'll then start equipping it, and integration of some of the new LRUs will begin as and when they complete certification. If things go per plan, it'll be ready slightly before Feb 2024 for first flight and then hand over to the IAF before March 2024.

He did caution though that if there are any slight delays in certification of the new LRUs then it may lead to a few months' delays, but HAL will make up for it by the enhanced production rate of 24 units per year.

 

[MirageBlue]

Marketing activities still ongoing by HAL in Argentina for the Tejas Mk1A as well as HAL's rotorcraft.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1665831854023352325

 

[MirageBlue]

Indian Ambassador to Argentina with HAL officials talking to the Argentinian Defence Minister as well as other representatives, including those from FAdeA

Check out what's being projected on the screen.

 

[MirageBlue]

Tejas Mk1 from No.18 'Flying Bullets' squadron with 3 drop tanks

image credit- Shrey Chopra

 

[migflug]

Tejas Mk1 from No.18 'Flying Bullets' squadron with 3 drop tanks

image credit- Shrey Chopra

Need MK1A to be produced and inducted asap. MK2 would be a true beast, we need that inducted and mass produced!!

 

[MirageBlue]

Need MK1A to be produced and inducted asap. MK2 would be a true beast, we need that inducted and mass produced!!

Tejas Mk1A series production has already started and deliveries are to be started from February 2024.

Tejas Mk2 program as you right said, needs to be inducted and mass produced. The GE F-414 local assembly line deal will be a huge boost for that program.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1669371001862488064