Modi pushes 'obsolete' Tejas on reluctant military

[ice_man]

it is a good move by india.

Tejas are anyways US engine and Israeli avionics so i doubt it is inferior to any fighter.

 

[Agent_47]

sanjeevmiglani (@sanjeevmiglani) | Twitter
Here is the author.
Let us educate him

 

[Vyom]

My dear this is not a moronic comparison. You are forgetting. If you had TEjas, there was no need for Rafale, correct?

Tejas has been in development for 30 years. Thats more than a generation of a modern combat jet. I know since you are Indians, you will not accept that Tejas project is actually a failure. But lets swallow the ego and accept that it is.

And by the way, the news is coming from Reuters, not some Pakistani newspaper.

If we had Tejas we wouldn't need Rafale ? Pray where Do you come up with this gems?

Tejas is Meant for Point defence, Rafale as MMRCA. and you are claiming both roles are the same. Its like saying as you have Assault Rifle you don't need a multi sniper rifle. Different weapons system have different purposes.

 

[Skillrex]

My dear this is not a moronic comparison. You are forgetting. If you had TEjas, there was no need for Rafale, correct?
.

Wrong..
i may not know so much technical details like others.. but i know this.. Tejas is a light weight fighter.. its never meant to replace likes of Su or Rafael..

we made it from scratch... yes after nuclear the programme went through some dark patches.. but its our plane.. its our tech.. whatever you say.. ours is always better option rather than assembling in kits like you guys do with JF series..

its still one of the best light weight fighter in its category that i can i bet.

 

[Rehan khan 1]

heard tejas weight 7.5 currently 2 ton fuel normal take off weight is 9.5 ton. is it true?

 

[Echo_419]

NEW DELHI: The government has turned down the military's request to expand the acquisition of 36 fighter planes from Dassault Aviation SA to plug vital gaps, officials said, nudging it to accept an indigenous combat plane 32 years in the making.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision, in line with his Make-in-India policy to encourage domestic industry, is a blow for not only the French manufacturer but also others circling over the Indian military aviation market worth billions of dollars.

The push for India's struggling Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) also comes at a time when the Air Force is at its weakest operational strength since the 1962 war against China, which is causing anxiety within military circles.

Since it took over last year, the Modi administration has repeatedly said its overriding goal is to cut off the military's addiction to foreign arms which has made it the world's top importer.

The Air Force wanted the government to clear an additional 44 Rafale medium multirole aircraft on top of the 36 that Modi announced during a visit to Paris this year that are to be bought off-the-shelf to meet its urgent requirements.

But a defence ministry official said that defence minister Manohar Parrikar had told the Air Force that there weren't enough funds to expand the Rafale acquisition and that it must induct an improved version of the indigenous Tejas-Mark 1A.

"The IAF (Air Force) needs to have a minimum number of aircraft at all times. The LCA is our best option at this stage, given our resource constraints," the defence official said.

"The Rafale is our most expensive acquisition. The LCA is our cheapest in the combat category."

India's air force says it requires 45 fighter squadrons to counter a "two-front collusive threat" from Pakistan and China. But it only has 35 active fighter squadrons, parliament's defence committee said in a report in April citing a presentation by a top air force officer.

With the drawdown of Soviet-era MiG 21 planes under way, the air force would be down to 25 squadrons by 2022 at the current pace of acquisitions, it told the committee.

Cleared by the government in 1983, the LCA designed by the government's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was meant to be the backbone of the air force due for induction in 1994.

Instead, it suffered years of delay and chaos with scientists trying to build the world's most modern light combat aircraft from scratch, including the engine.

Eventually they scrapped the engine, turning to GE Aviation and lowering their ambitions for a state-of-the-art fighter. So far, only one aircraft has been produced and even that is awaiting final operational clearance, now delayed to early 2016.

"In January this year, they had given one LCA ... which had not completed its flight testing. They handed over the papers to us. We do not make a squadron with one aeroplane. That is where we are," said an air force officer speaking on condition of anonymity.

SAFETY CONCERNS

An independent investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India into the LCA programme identified 53 "shortfalls" in the plane. In a report in May, the auditor said that the plane wasn't as light as promised, the fuel capacity and speed were lower than required and there were concerns about safety.

Retired Air Marshal M. Matheswaran, a former deputy chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said the LCA was obsolete.

"It is a very short-range aircraft which has no relevance in today's war fighting scenarios. If you are trying to justify this as a replacement for follow-on Rafales, you are comparing apples with oranges."

He said the plane was at best a technology demonstrator on which Indian engineers could build the next series of aircraft, not something the air force could win a war with.

"We would like to have the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) variety of aircraft. At least about six squadrons, to my mind," the head of the air force, Arup Raha, said at the weekend, referring to the Rafale class of fighters.

But K. Tamilmani, the DRDO's aerospace chief, said the modified version of the Tejas addressed most of the air force concerns. These included electronic warfare system, flight computer, radar and maintenance problems.

"Almost all the problems get solved with the 1A. There will always be scope for improvement, but there are no flight safety issues," he said.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited would be able to ramp production to 16 a year by 2017 to meet the air force's demands, he said.

"We Indians are extremely good at blaming each other - at blaming it all on Indian production."

Dassault declined any comment on the government's decision to cap the Rafale fleet.

A source close to Sweden's Saab, which has been pushing its Gripen light fighter, said that it was respectful of India's decision to try to develop its domestic military base.

"There's still a huge gap that needs to be filled. We are marketing it (the Gripen) under the Make-in-India umbrella," he said. "Even if you add the seven squadrons of the Tejas, there is still a requirement (with MiGs retiring etc). It's a question of timing. Can they build these for when they need them?"

Modi pushes 'obsolete' Tejas on reluctant military - The Times of India

Times of India has suddenly become a good news

 

[Donald Trump]

India's air force says it requires 45 fighter squadrons to counter a "two-front collusive threat" from Pakistan and China.

Source: Modi pushes 'obsolete' Tejas on reluctant military

This is total bull! There will never be a two front collusive war against India. This is in the realms of science fiction, an excuse for the IAF to increase its strength to 45 squadrons.

 

[Perpendicular]

You will indeed need to. !!!

 

[GURU DUTT]

heard tejas weight 7.5 currently 2 ton fuel normal take off weight is 9.5 ton. is it true?

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 13.20 m (43 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 8.20 m (26 ft 11 in)
• Height: 4.40 m (14 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 38.4 m² (413 ft²)
• Empty weight: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb)
• Loaded weight: 9,500 kg (20,944 lb)
• Max. takeoff weight: 13,200 kg (29,100 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × General Electric F404-GE-IN20 turbofan
  • Dry thrust: 53.9 kN (12,100 lbf)
  • Thrust with afterburner: 89.8 kN (20,200 lbf)
• Internal fuel capacity: 2,458 kg
• External fuel capacity: 2 x 1,200-litre drop tank at inboard, 1 x 725-litre drop tank under fuselage

Performance

• Maximum speed: Mach 1.6 (1,350 km/h) calibrated airspeed (CAS) at high altitude, reached in testing of IOC-I, theoretically capable of Mach 1.8
• Range: 3,000 km (1,620 nmi, 1,864 mi)
• Combat radius: 500 km (162 nmi, 186 mi)
• Ferry range: 1,700 km (1,056 mi)
• Service ceiling: 15,240 m (50,000 ft)
• Wing loading: 247 kg/m² (50.7 lb/ft²)
• Thrust/weight: 1.07
• g-limits: +8/−3.5 g

Armament

• Guns: 1× mounted 23 mm twin-barrel GSh-23 cannon with 220 rounds of ammunition.
• Hardpoints: 8 ( 1× beneath the port-side intake trunk for targeting pods, 6× wing, and 1× fuselage) with a capacity of 3,500 kg external fuel and ordnance

 

[Maarkhoor]

Modi govt turns down IAF's request for more foreign fighter planes, pushes for Made-in-India Tejas
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

New Delhi: The government has turned down the military's request to expand the acquisition of 36 fighter planes from Dassault Aviation SA to plug vital gaps, officials said, nudging it to accept an indigenous combat plane 32 years in the making.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision, in line with his Make-in-India policy to encourage domestic industry, is a blow for not only the French manufacturer but also others circling over the Indian military aviation market worth billions of dollars.

Also Read: Rafale negotiations to 'hopefully' conclude by year-end: IAF chief

Narendra Modi's decision, in line with his Make-in-India policy to encourage domestic industry, is a blow for not only the French manufacturer but also others circling over the Indian military aviation market worth billions of dollars.

The push for India's struggling Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) also comes at a time when the air force is at its weakest operational strength since the 1962 war against China, which is causing anxiety within military circles.

Also Read: Tejas prototypes touch 10,600 ft high Leh airfield

Since it took over in 2014, the Modi administration has repeatedly said its overriding goal is to cut off the military's addiction to foreign arms which has made it the world's top importer.

The air force wanted the government to clear an additional 44 Rafale medium multirole aircraft on top of the 36 that Modi announced during a visit to Paris in 2015 that are to be bought off-the-shelf to meet its urgent requirements.

Also Read: India, US sign deal for purchase of 22 Apache helicopters

But a defence ministry official said that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had told the air force that there weren't enough funds to expand the Rafale acquisition and that it must induct an improved version of the indigenous Tejas-Mark 1A.

"The IAF (air force) needs to have a minimum number of aircraft at all times. The LCA is our best option at this stage, given our resource constraints," the defence official said.

"The Rafale is our most expensive acquisition. The LCA is our cheapest in the combat category."

India's air force says it requires 45 fighter squadrons to counter a "two-front collusive threat" from Pakistan and China. But it only has 35 active fighter squadrons, parliament's defence committee said in a report in April citing a presentation by a top air force officer.

With the drawdown of Soviet-era MiG 21 planes under way, the air force would be down to 25 squadrons by 2022 at the current pace of acquisitions, it told the committee.

Cleared by the government in 1983, the LCA designed by the government's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was meant to be the backbone of the air force due for induction in 1994.

Instead, it suffered years of delay and chaos with scientists trying to build the world's most modern light combat aircraft from scratch, including the engine.

Eventually they scrapped the engine, turning to GE Aviation and lowering their ambitions for a state-of-the-art fighter. So far, only one aircraft has been produced and even that is awaiting final operational clearance, now delayed to early 2016.

"In January this year, they had given one LCA ... which had not completed its flight testing. They handed over the papers to us. We do not make a squadron with one aeroplane. That is where we are," said an air force officer speaking on condition of anonymity.

Safety Concerns

An independent investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India into the LCA programme identified 53 "shortfalls" in the plane. In a report in May, the auditor said that the plane wasn't as light as promised, the fuel capacity and speed were lower than required and there were concerns about safety.

Retired Air Marshal M. Matheswaran, a former deputy chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said the LCA was obsolete.

"It is a very short-range aircraft which has no relevance in today's war fighting scenarios. If you are trying to justify this as a replacement for follow-on Rafales, you are comparing apples with oranges."

He said the plane was at best a technology demonstrator on which Indian engineers could build the next series of aircraft, not something the air force could win a war with.

"We would like to have the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) variety of aircraft. At least about six squadrons, to my mind," the head of the air force, Arup Raha, said at the weekend, referring to the Rafale class of fighters.

But K. Tamilmani, the DRDO's aerospace chief, said the modified version of the Tejas addressed most of the air force concerns. These included electronic warfare system, flight computer, radar and maintenance problems.

"Almost all the problems get solved with the 1A. There will always be scope for improvement, but there are no flight safety issues," he said.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited would be able to ramp production to 16 a year by 2017 to meet the air force's demands, he said.

"We Indians are extremely good at blaming each other - at blaming it all on Indian production."

Dassault declined any comment on the government's decision to cap the Rafale fleet.

A source close to Sweden's Saab, which has been pushing its Gripen light fighter, said that it was respectful of India's decision to try to develop its domestic military base.

"There's still a huge gap that needs to be filled. We are marketing it (the Gripen) under the Make-in-India umbrella," he said. "Even if you add the seven squadrons of the Tejas, there is still a requirement (with MiGs retiring etc). It’s a question of timing. Can they build these for when they need them?"
Modi govt turns down IAF's request for more foreign fighter planes, pushes for Made-in-India Tejas | Zee News

 

[Abingdonboy]

How can you compare LCA to Thunder

Yes how can we compare two single engined, light weight fighters?

Fact is the JF-17 TO THIS DAY does not have an integrated HMDS (and thus a very limited off-boreseight lock-on capability) and no IFR probe- features that come on the MARK 1 of the LCA and features that are critical to the LCA getting FOC- not even the BLOCK 2 Thunders have such features. If the IAF was like the PAF and willing to accept the plane as is the LCA would have been in service years ago.

The JF-17 still has yet to attain its FOC but the LCA will get its in a few months- will you still be labelling it a failure then?


The LCA's extensive use of carbon composite materials and a highly reliable engine coupled with the ability to fire a vast array of weaponry (both A2A and A2G) makes it a highly modern and capable aircraft- the Thunder less so.


I agree, you shouldn't compare the LCA to the Thunder- it's not very flattering for you is it?

Modi govt turns down IAF's request for more foreign fighter planes, pushes for Made-in-India Tejas
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

New Delhi: The government has turned down the military's request to expand the acquisition of 36 fighter planes from Dassault Aviation SA to plug vital gaps, officials said, nudging it to accept an indigenous combat plane 32 years in the making.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision, in line with his Make-in-India policy to encourage domestic industry, is a blow for not only the French manufacturer but also others circling over the Indian military aviation market worth billions of dollars.

Also Read: Rafale negotiations to 'hopefully' conclude by year-end: IAF chief

Narendra Modi's decision, in line with his Make-in-India policy to encourage domestic industry, is a blow for not only the French manufacturer but also others circling over the Indian military aviation market worth billions of dollars.

The push for India's struggling Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) also comes at a time when the air force is at its weakest operational strength since the 1962 war against China, which is causing anxiety within military circles.

Also Read: Tejas prototypes touch 10,600 ft high Leh airfield

Since it took over in 2014, the Modi administration has repeatedly said its overriding goal is to cut off the military's addiction to foreign arms which has made it the world's top importer.

The air force wanted the government to clear an additional 44 Rafale medium multirole aircraft on top of the 36 that Modi announced during a visit to Paris in 2015 that are to be bought off-the-shelf to meet its urgent requirements.

Also Read: India, US sign deal for purchase of 22 Apache helicopters

But a defence ministry official said that Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had told the air force that there weren't enough funds to expand the Rafale acquisition and that it must induct an improved version of the indigenous Tejas-Mark 1A.

"The IAF (air force) needs to have a minimum number of aircraft at all times. The LCA is our best option at this stage, given our resource constraints," the defence official said.

"The Rafale is our most expensive acquisition. The LCA is our cheapest in the combat category."

India's air force says it requires 45 fighter squadrons to counter a "two-front collusive threat" from Pakistan and China. But it only has 35 active fighter squadrons, parliament's defence committee said in a report in April citing a presentation by a top air force officer.

With the drawdown of Soviet-era MiG 21 planes under way, the air force would be down to 25 squadrons by 2022 at the current pace of acquisitions, it told the committee.

Cleared by the government in 1983, the LCA designed by the government's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was meant to be the backbone of the air force due for induction in 1994.

Instead, it suffered years of delay and chaos with scientists trying to build the world's most modern light combat aircraft from scratch, including the engine.

Eventually they scrapped the engine, turning to GE Aviation and lowering their ambitions for a state-of-the-art fighter. So far, only one aircraft has been produced and even that is awaiting final operational clearance, now delayed to early 2016.

"In January this year, they had given one LCA ... which had not completed its flight testing. They handed over the papers to us. We do not make a squadron with one aeroplane. That is where we are," said an air force officer speaking on condition of anonymity.

Safety Concerns

An independent investigation by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India into the LCA programme identified 53 "shortfalls" in the plane. In a report in May, the auditor said that the plane wasn't as light as promised, the fuel capacity and speed were lower than required and there were concerns about safety.

Retired Air Marshal M. Matheswaran, a former deputy chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said the LCA was obsolete.

"It is a very short-range aircraft which has no relevance in today's war fighting scenarios. If you are trying to justify this as a replacement for follow-on Rafales, you are comparing apples with oranges."

He said the plane was at best a technology demonstrator on which Indian engineers could build the next series of aircraft, not something the air force could win a war with.

"We would like to have the MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) variety of aircraft. At least about six squadrons, to my mind," the head of the air force, Arup Raha, said at the weekend, referring to the Rafale class of fighters.

But K. Tamilmani, the DRDO's aerospace chief, said the modified version of the Tejas addressed most of the air force concerns. These included electronic warfare system, flight computer, radar and maintenance problems.

"Almost all the problems get solved with the 1A. There will always be scope for improvement, but there are no flight safety issues," he said.

State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited would be able to ramp production to 16 a year by 2017 to meet the air force's demands, he said.

"We Indians are extremely good at blaming each other - at blaming it all on Indian production."

Dassault declined any comment on the government's decision to cap the Rafale fleet.

A source close to Sweden's Saab, which has been pushing its Gripen light fighter, said that it was respectful of India's decision to try to develop its domestic military base.

"There's still a huge gap that needs to be filled. We are marketing it (the Gripen) under the Make-in-India umbrella," he said. "Even if you add the seven squadrons of the Tejas, there is still a requirement (with MiGs retiring etc). It’s a question of timing. Can they build these for when they need them?"
Modi govt turns down IAF's request for more foreign fighter planes, pushes for Made-in-India Tejas | Zee News

Even this is BS- when has the GoI turned down the IAF's request for more Rafales? Anyone who think the IAF is only getting 36 Rafales is out of their mind!

 

[Maarkhoor]

The JF-17 still has yet to attain its FOC

Did we need FOC from India?

 

[Abingdonboy]

Did we need FOC from India?

Your own airforce/certifying agencies are yet to give the Thunder its FOC, where does India come into the picture?

 

[Maarkhoor]

Your own airforce/certifying agencies are yet to give the Thunder its FOC, where does India come into the picture?

source pls of your claim

 

[Abingdonboy]

source pls of your claim

Provide me a source the JF-17 has attained FOC- that should be readily available (if true). I can't prove a negative.