ramana wrote:ORCA was an IAF boondoggle to sink the TEDBF. So IN and higher-ups realized fast and decoupled it.
The reason is the nation cannot afford three fighter plane programs for IAF: Tejas Mk2. AMCA and ORCA.
Makes more sense to order 114 TEDBFm (2x 57) for IN and rotate the squadrons on carriers and station them in airbases for port defense and relieve IAF of the onerous task.
They love to do flypasts and disaster relief anyway.
I doubt IN will buy 114 TEDBFs in current configuration...
The reasons are simple:-
1) TEDBF is currently being designed only for STOBAR operations... CATOBAR requires a strengthened Forward section of fuselage, which is currently not being considered as confirmed in some interview during AeroIndia 2021...
2) IN currently have only 2 Aircraft Carriers and both are STOBAR carriers... One carrier operates 45 MIG29Ks... For the other, they're trying to buy 26 F/A18s or Rafales...
3) IN may order only around 40 jets in its current form after a decade for replacement of MIG29Ks...
4) If IN goes for a 3rd Carrier and if it is CATOBAR, they need a TEDBF Mk2 which is CATOBAR compatible... Instead, if IAC2 is STOBAR and similar size of IAC1, then the order may go upto 80 jets...
5) I also see a turf war between IAF and IN about shore-based Anti-Ship operations... If IN wins this, we may see additional TEDBF jets for shore based operations and IAF completely stopping shore-based operations... But I don't think IAF will give it up that easily...
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So, TEDBF numbers will be
1) around 40, if no 3rd AC
2) around 80, if IAC2 is STOBAR
3) around 40 Mk1 + 60 Mk2, if IAC2 is bigger CATOBAR
4) extra 40-60, in case IAF stops all shore-based Anti-ship operations and IN takes over
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Personally, I feel IAF should join TEDBF/ORCA program... They should order around 4 squadrons and may use them primarily for shore based Anti-Ship roles replacing Jaguar IM and Su30s...
This will ensure lot of commonality between IAF and IN jets in terms of weapons, avionics, spares, upgrades etc. and also stabilizes TEDBF program as total orders will go up to 150-200 jets...