21 is with fleet reserves.Atmavik wrote:...
I thought the IAF squadron contained 21 fighters but looks like things have changed.
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On Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the Union Cabinet’s clearance for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) to build 83 Tejas Mark 1A light combat aircraft (LCA) for Rs 45,696 crore. This raised concerns that the improved version of the current Tejas Mark 1 fighter would cost a daunting Rs 550 crore each.
However, senior government sources have clarified to Business Standard that each Tejas Mark 1A will cost no more than Rs 315 crore to build, with the total manufacturing cost adding up to Rs 26,145 crore.
The balance of the Cabinet clearance includes allocations for tax and for maintenance and support infrastructure in the two operational air bases that will be home to the four squadrons of the Tejas Mark 1A.
Of the Cabinet’s total allocation, government taxes and levies constitute about 20 per cent, or about Rs 9,000 crore. Effectively, the Ministry of Finance will be appropriating a large chunk of the defence budget through taxing an indigenous weapons platform.
In major arms manufacturing countries, such as the USA, defence equipment and weaponry is exempt from excise and sales tax.
True, taxation of defence equipment merely amounts to money going from one government pocket to another. However, it would have serious implications when it comes to export of the Tejas Mark 1A. The government has emphasised the need for promoting export, which would reduce the fighter’s cost through manufacture in larger numbers.
At Rs 315 crore ($43 million) per fighter, the Tejas Mark 1A would be a viable competitor in the international market for light fighters. It would be less so if taxes took up its cost to Rs 378 crore ($51 million). Competitors, such as the Sino-Pakistan JF-17 Thunder, are cheaper with a unit cost of $25-30 million. However, the Tejas Mark 1A outperforms them in avionics and weaponry.
This is through performance enhancements introduced into the Tejas Mark 1A, compared to the current Mark 1. The Mark 1A features the Israeli Elta EL/AESA 2052 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, replacing the Mark 1’s manually scanned Elta EL/M 2032 radar. None of the light fighters competing with the Tejas features an AESA radar, which provides a massive advantage in air-to-air as well as air-to-ground combat.
The Tejas Mark 1A also scores in electronic warfare (EW), being equipped with an Israeli self-protection jammer (SPJ), carried in an external pod under the fighter’s wing.
Finally, an operational edge is provided by the Mark 1A’s air-to-air missiles. Its primary “beyond visual range” (BVR) missile is the indigenous Astra, one of the Defence R&D Organisation’s (DRDO’s) outstanding successes. In addition, the Mark 1A is integrated with the shorter-range ASRAAM missile, built by European consortium, MBDA; and with the Israeli Derby and Russian R-73 missiles.
While the Tejas LCA programme has been run by the DRDO, through an organisation called the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), developing and manufacturing the Tejas Mark 1A was entrusted to HAL. However, ADA, which holds all the source codes of the Tejas, charged HAL a sum of Rs 800 crore for its partnership.
The amount cleared by the Cabinet also includes expenditure on setting up operational infrastructure for flying the Tejas Mark 1A from two Indian Air Force (IAF) bases, which are still unidentified. Each airbase will house two Tejas Mark 1A squadrons.
Each of these two airbases will operate a Technical Training School, in which maintenance technicians and even pilots will undergo continuous training and upgrading of their technical skills. The cost of setting up each of these training establishments will be over Rs 300 crore.
An expenditure of Rs 1,202 crore has also been budgeted for setting up “ground support equipment” (GSE) and “ground handling equipment” (GHE) in both the Tejas Mark 1A airbases. This equipment is required for the ground end of flying operations – getting the fighter aircraft started up and airborne, carrying out maintenance checks and a certain level of repair and replacement of modules.
A large sum has been cleared for the Tejas Mark 1A’s “maintenance running list of spares” (MRLS), which is a large inventory of spares and modules that operational squadrons and depots holds in reserve. This is so that, in the event of an aircraft component or module requiring to be replaced, it is readily available with the airbase and there is no waiting period while the part is obtained from a central depot.
IAF sources indicate that HAL initially submitted a cost estimate of Rs 59,000 crore, which was brought down by the Cost Negotiation Committee by Rs 12,000 crore. In fact, the reason for HAL’s high initial estimate was the IAF’s demand that the Tejas fighter’s engine – the F-404IN engine, built by US firm General Electric (GE) – be manufactured in India with transfer of technology (ToT) from GE.
Eventually, this plan was dropped due to the high cost demanded by GE for ToT and licence to build the F-404IN engine in India. Buying ready-built engines from GE brought down the project cost by Rs 12,000 crore.
Graphic: Tejas cost breakdown
1. Basic cost of 83 fighters : Rs 26,145 crore
2. ADA consultancy charges : Rs 800 crore
3. Maintenance running list of spares : Rs 8,000 crore
4. Technical training schools : Rs 600 crore
5. GSE/GHE : Rs 1,202 crore
6. Central taxes : Rs 9,000 crore
TOTAL (about) : Rs 45,696 crore
At present, only 50 per cent of the jet is made in India, while the engine and the latest radar — called AESA — come from the US and Israel, respectively.
Currently, the aircraft has around 344 systems fitted in it and 210 systems are indigenous and 134 of them are imported, said a senior functionary.
By the time, the first aircraft gets produced by HAL, it is targeted that the imported systems will be reduced to approximately 80. Tejas is expected to be the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet in years to come and is slated to be produced in high numbers. The production will be done at a new state-of-the-art facility in Bengaluru.
The HAL has created the facilities to house the additional production line of LCA. Once ready, the facility would be spread across 35 acres and a built-up area of 34,893 sq m. The phase 1 of the facility is ready and is spread across 24,077 sq m.
Which also includes maintenance cost with spares for a certain amount of time. Not just the fly away cost like he said.ashishvikas wrote:Clarification by Angad.
The final cost *after* taxes is 52.5 MM. Price before tax (with profit!) is in the region of 44.5 MM.
https://twitter.com/zone5aviation/statu ... 64864?s=19
This would be from operational experience with a squadron of Mk.1 IOC over the last 4-years....
3. Maintenance running list of spares : Rs 8,000 crore
4. Technical training schools : Rs 600 crore
5. GSE/GHE : Rs 1,202 crore
I wonder if the list, includes weapons like Derby/Python/R73?At present, only 50 per cent of the jet is made in India, while the engine and the latest radar — called AESA — come from the US and Israel, respectively.
Currently, the aircraft has around 344 systems fitted in it and 210 systems are indigenous and 134 of them are imported, said a senior functionary.
https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/135 ... 46055?s=20 ---> Various 'e*pertjis' are now also saying that the Tejas Mk1A will cost only around Rs 315 crores or so after an initial BS fest of 'it is costlier than the Su-30MKI onlee'. Do these chaps have any shame at all?jamwal wrote:https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/1349703545231065091 ---> The actual unit cost of the Tejas Mk-1A is just north of Rs 300 crores, if you strip away ancillary allocations related to infrastructure etc. I will write a detailed piece as promised.
https://twitter.com/Firezstarter1/statu ... 34889?s=20 ---> This is just incredible news. Finally, a Govt and establishment (AF, DRDO, HAL, all) which get "it". Indigenization of our key "see, and counter" sensors was long overdue. And will now enable us to do the same for the rest of the IAF fleet as required.LakshmanPST wrote:https://twitter.com/CNBCTV18News/status ... 56002?s=19
He also said that Uttam is expected to be used instead of ELTA 2052 starting from 20th jet...
So, in the worst case, first 2 squadrons of Tejas Mk1A will have ELTA 2052 and last 2 squadrons will have Uttam...
Only the fighter engine is remaining so to speakRakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/Firezstarter1/statu ... 34889?s=20 ---> This is just incredible news. Finally, a Govt and establishment (AF, DRDO, HAL, all) which get "it". Indigenization of our key "see, and counter" sensors was long overdue. And will now enable us to do the same for the rest of the IAF fleet as required.LakshmanPST wrote: https://twitter.com/CNBCTV18News/status ... 56002?s=19
He also said that Uttam is expected to be used instead of ELTA 2052 starting from 20th jet...
So, in the worst case, first 2 squadrons of Tejas Mk1A will have ELTA 2052 and last 2 squadrons will have Uttam...
., Indian aerospace is on full afterburner !!.. Shows how a determined government and a well run military establishment can work in tandem !!.. Even 5 years before would anyone have even dreamt about this ?!Shukla’s article mentioned Rs 12,000 crore for building GE engines in India. At least we know the max cost. Actual would depend on what parts and components are planned to be built in India.Rakesh wrote:This is interesting....click on link below for video.
He says the IAF is looking for a maintenance set up for the GE F404. If achievable, it would be awesome. My dream come true.
https://twitter.com/CNBCTV18News/status ... 09061?s=20 ---> "DRDO is setting up a fighter engine complex, will have our own fighter engine instead of depending on GE," says HAL CMD R Madhavan as the company receives the largest ever defence order from the govt to supply 83 fighter & trainer LCA to the IAF.
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IAF sources indicate that HAL initially submitted a cost estimate of Rs 59,000 crore, which was brought down by the Cost Negotiation Committee by Rs 12,000 crore. In fact, the reason for HAL’s high initial estimate was the IAF’s demand that the Tejas fighter’s engine – the F-404IN engine, built by US firm General Electric (GE) – be manufactured in India with transfer of technology (ToT) from GE.
Eventually, this plan was dropped due to the high cost demanded by GE for ToT and licence to build the F-404IN engine in India. Buying ready-built engines from GE brought down the project cost by Rs 12,000 crore.
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sivab wrote:At $43 million each, the Tejas Mark 1A competes in export market
https://www.ajaishukla.com/2021/01/at-4 ... rk-1a.html
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The amount cleared by the Cabinet also includes expenditure on setting up operational infrastructure for flying the Tejas Mark 1A from two Indian Air Force (IAF) bases, which are still unidentified. Each airbase will house two Tejas Mark 1A squadrons.
Each of these two airbases will operate a Technical Training School, in which maintenance technicians and even pilots will undergo continuous training and upgrading of their technical skills. The cost of setting up each of these training establishments will be over Rs 300 crore.
An expenditure of Rs 1,202 crore has also been budgeted for setting up “ground support equipment” (GSE) and “ground handling equipment” (GHE) in both the Tejas Mark 1A airbases. This equipment is required for the ground end of flying operations – getting the fighter aircraft started up and airborne, carrying out maintenance checks and a certain level of repair and replacement of modules.
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Investment should be made.V_Raman wrote:~1.5 billion USD does not look too high if we can really get ToT for F404/F414 class engine...
In case it is not classified information, can you tell which base it is...?Haridas wrote: First base we know, second base ???
Brilliant move for it ensures aircraft availability and gives the user control over aircraft maintenance. Finally boosts IAF maintenance command capabilities.Haridas wrote:First base we know, second base ???sivab wrote:At $43 million each, the Tejas Mark 1A competes in export market
https://www.ajaishukla.com/2021/01/at-4 ... rk-1a.html
He deserves his moment of glory as the Tejas production order is signed.Mollick.R wrote:Good to see that media giving the legend publicity and due respect.
(Video Published on Jan 14, 2021)
+101 saar....wish, hope & pray GTRE too gets a Kota Harinarayana of its own.ramana wrote:He deserves his moment of glory as the Tejas production order is signed.Mollick.R wrote:Good to see that media giving the legend publicity and due respect.
(Video Published on Jan 14, 2021)
I think, the first one is Sulur (Coimbatore). Coimbatore is famous for Leth and machining industries.LakshmanPST wrote:In case it is not classified information, can you tell which base it is...?Haridas wrote: First base we know, second base ???
My guess is, one base will be in Western Command and another in South Western Command (Jodhpur or nearby)...
A special fellow indeed! A man who smiles and laughs all the time! Would be a joy to be around and work with!Mollick.R wrote:Good to see that media giving the legend publicity and due respect.
(Video Published on Jan 14, 2021)
Awesome news! Can't wait to see pics of footage of the Tejas LSP firing off an Astra Mk1 BVRAAM. Once in the hands of No.45 and No.18 Squadrons, this will elevate them to the top level amongst current IAF fleet as far as air defence missions go.Rakesh wrote:https://twitter.com/alpha_defense/statu ... 85571?s=20 ---> Getting news that Astra integration with Tejas LSP is nearing completion.
A lot of them are already that. The only problem (with MK1, mostly resolved in MK1A) is the accessibility to do the Unplug/Plug.ramana wrote: One more thing is Tejas has any LRUs which can be swapped as plug and play. This also cuts the repair downtime something got being thought about!
You think the first base is going to be Sulur? It may not be, given that the No.45 and No.18 Squadrons are already based there. Those would need to move out to other air bases or maybe we may see 3 Tejas squadrons at each air base.Haridas wrote:First base we know, second base ???sivab wrote:At $43 million each, the Tejas Mark 1A competes in export market
https://www.ajaishukla.com/2021/01/at-4 ... rk-1a.html
I believe 45 has been moved to Jodhpur.Kartik wrote:You think the first base is going to be Sulur? It may not be, given that the No.45 and No.18 Squadrons are already based there. Those would need to move out to other air bases or maybe we may see 3 Tejas squadrons at each air base.Haridas wrote: First base we know, second base ???