MRCA (Many Rakshaks Choose Aircraft) Contest - Episode III

[uddu]

Trump will not go to the extend of sanctioning engines at the moment if we are not in an escalatory fight. This will be affecting U.S defense exports and Defense lobby will get upset. We have not picked a fight with the U.S on Tariff's with counter Tariffs. As long as the burden is on U.S civilians to pay it and I don't think GOI is ever interested in a Tariff fight with the U.S. They will diversify or find new market place. Though have to be careful about the likes of loonies like Lindsay Graham chewing on Trumps ears getting their way.
It's always good to have a backup plan. But our govt only responds once that happens and Tejas is grounded then some Tender will appear for "Supply engines for Tejas".
They will not do a Kaveri testing just as an experimental project to guage its performance. They will not in the interim test other engines on the Tejas to offer the clients various options. Nothing. These things need capable leaders like Parikkar who knows technology and is also capable enough to give solutions and directions in resolving current and possible future problems.

[Bharadwaj]

In Rafale we trust and quite frankly no one can blame IAF for that. The Netra mk2 may also take its own time so maybe 4-5 Saab global eye for emergency purchase? Yes I know porki have erieye. The tejas mk1a and astra mk2/3 combo would also benefit from a longer range targeting link to deal with the j-20/j-35. Even the Chinese recently admitted that the j-20 was not safe from a j-10 that was keyed in by their awacs.

[Manish_P]

...
It's always good to have a backup plan. But our govt only responds once that happens and Tejas is grounded then some Tender will appear for "Supply engines for Tejas".
...

Aren't aircrafts designed around engines?

We can't ask for alternate engines if the original supplier stops.

At the IAF and GoI trusts France more than the US it would make sense to go with the French (or the Russians) for the tip of the spear AMCA.

[uddu]

...
It's always good to have a backup plan. But our govt only responds once that happens and Tejas is grounded then some Tender will appear for "Supply engines for Tejas".
...

Aren't aircrafts designed around engines?

We can't ask for alternate engines if the original supplier stops.

At the IAF and GoI trusts France more than the US it would make sense to go with the French (or the Russians) for the tip of the spear AMCA.

Just do know that Tejas was designed with Kaveri to be incorporated at a later stage. So they surely has that accommodated while designing the specs.
Google gives some details like this
Characteristic Kaveri (GTX-35VS) Eurojet EJ200 GE F404 (F404-GE-402) Snecma M88 Klimov RD-33
Length (cm) 349.0 398.78 391 353.8 422.9
Diameter (cm) 90.9 73.66 89 (overall), 71 (inlet) 69.6 73 (inlet), 104 (maximum)
Dry Weight (kg) 1180 988.83 1035 897 1055

Russian RD-33 is said to be longer to accommodate. There will be many other factors as well.

Even the HAL HLFT-42. Which engine will be used on that? Will Kaveri in its present form suffice or we have to choose between some Russian or French option.

[drnayar]

What is the case for such numbers of Rafales ?

A fighter that is powered by a non-US turbofan.

Using that line of thought, Rafale makes ample sense to Air HQ.

As such there is a case to find alternatives to GE for 404 and 414 Tejas engines, they should not be flying at somebody s whim at the whitehouse !