1. Tejas was never designed and aimed for export like FC-1, and LCA have home orders also, 125 MK-1A + 36 as Superlative LIFT.
2 Tejas Program is already a hit, because IAF have ordered MK-1A, and work on MK-2 is going on.
3. The time Period for the availability of the export should be > 2025, but when MK-2 would be ready it would be very attractive in the international market Reasons
- IAF will give the experience and the fame of the airforce, who are very popular to reject the world class fighter plane in trials.
- with F414 engine, and customer to choose from Israeli (EL/2052, Python, Derby) or Indian (Uttam, Astra) or Russian (Uttam, R73, R77).
- Variants available LIFT, Carrier based
- Best of the technology in Cheaper cost comparable class fighter.
- Composites(High), FBW, FADEEC, Reliable F414
OK, realistically imagine your the sales rep for the tejas. I am the buyer, and I ask you these questions..
1. When will a final export production version be available for delivery? 2025...Probably longer for export customers.
2. What is the per unit export price? Right now the price quoted for export, is around $40m excluding training, spares and support, by 2025 it will be a lot lot more...its just the way these things are.
3. HALs reputation is not that great as a reliable partner, even with its biggest customer the IAF.
4. The tejas has components from various countries, the US, Europe, Israel and Russia apart from india. If I buy it what guarantee do I have that those countries won't stop support? For example what if the US refuses the resale license for the f414 engine, or israel or europe?
5. Right now even the South Korean F50 has a similar spec, its already flying , has got export sales, is cheaper and its from a reliable supplier...then theres the grippen, j17, j10, mig 35....etc...or even upgraded second hand f16s. Why should we wait a decade for the tejas.
You see, for the tejas export sales is going to be a uphill battle...
Oh then theres the question of how many countries are in the market for a $40m+ 4th generation single seater light fighter...in 2025? If india stuck original concept of developing a low cost fighter to replace the huge numbers of mig 21/23 by 2005, then yes but not at the price point of $40m+.