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Manish_P wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026 21:07
Bala Ji, do you really think that our Babus, grand masters of the art of stalling, don't understand the deliberate delay tactics from the US.
Why do you think we continue to wine and dine the expensive French and the subpar Russians.
Manish ji, the Babus of India require a complete revamp of IAS/IFS/IPS etc. Btw, we have to separate these streams since it requires different skill sets up front not a common exam. If India does not undertake reforms in babucracy and judiciary then India is doomed to forever running from 1 crisis to another and chalta-hai wont work when you are #3. Just as India was able to create a fintech product in UPI, we need induction of modern workflow mgmt software for task assignment and completion with strict enforcement across the board of Govt. Judiciary can induct AI to solve 90% cases within minutes not days/months/years/decades. With such systems we can remove more than half the people infesting these depts.
as Lavrov says the US has ways to make any babu [ or diplomat ] do their bidding.. most of them have some one studying or working in the US.. all they need to do is to just remind them
Manish_P wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026 21:22
Modi is no Xeng because democratic India is not communist China.
You cannot build an impregnable fortress when each of the four walls (the politicians, the bureaucracy, the judiciary and the media) have pillars which are compromised.
Just refer to the recent article by our ex NSA Shiv Shankar Menon who is on the board of Trustees of International Crisis Group. His fellow members there being a certain Mr. George Soros and his heir apparent son.
+108! Everyone should read the above like a mantra.
Comparing Communist China to India is pointless. Now we can certainly match the Chinese, but to do that...you have to abandon democracy and be willing to steam roll over your own people. Cannot expect Communist China-style development in Democracy-Burdened India. And I use the term "Democracy-Burdened", because in India democracy is used a political tool to stymie development and curb advancement. If the Chinese had a democratic political setup, as in India, none of their stupendous success we witness today...would be a reality.
The company has established an additional dedicated production line for the F404-IN20 variant, introduced higher levels of automation in engine testing processes, and appointed a new management team to oversee production and delivery timelines.
Rakesh wrote: ↑03 Apr 2026 22:58
...Cannot expect Communist China-style development in Democracy-Burdened India. And I use the term "Democracy-Burdened", because in India democracy is used a political tool to stymie development and curb advancement...
<OT> Well crafted and carefully weighed words, Rakesh ji. I am no student of Political science or history. I wonder if there is a precedent for such a state of affairs?
On the other hand we see the advanced socio- military progress in the west where almost all have a democratic setup. Perhaps the word for that would be 'Imperialistic-Democracy'</OT>
Rakesh wrote: ↑31 Mar 2026 23:16
First full squadron of Tejas Mk1As (18 airframes) are ready, but only eight airframes are fitted with turbofans
In the picture below, five airframes - with turbofans - are in the first row from bottom. In the middle row, the aircraft on either end have turbofans fitted. And in the top row, the airframe at extreme right has a turbofan installed.
This is friggiing amazing!! Thats the way it should be done... It takes 3-4 years to make a full aircraft, far less to make an engine. Engines will come and IAF will get a good shot in the arm for air assets. I hope HAL gets to 24-30 a year. Even without engines, this is very valuable.
GE Aerospace on Monday announced a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish an in-country depot facility for the maintenance of F404 -IN20 engines that power IAF’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fleet.
The facility will be set up by the IAF with technical inputs from GE Aerospace and is expected to help India’s indigenous defence sustainment effort, GE said in a statement. Once operational, it will eliminate the need to depend on the overseas repair centers, significantly improving turnaround times.
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In a major development that would sharply improve the fighter aircraft availability of the Indian Air Force (IAF) by reducing dependence on overseas repair facilities and cutting turnaround times for engine reparis, American aircraft engine supplier GE Aerospace has signed a contract with IAF on Monday to establish an in-country repair and overhaul depot for the F404-IN20 engines powering the HAL's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fleet.
The facility will be set up by the IAF with GE Aerospace offering technical inputs. The depot facility will be owned, operated, and maintained by the IAF, with GE Aerospace offering technical inputs, training, support staff, and the supply of necessary spares and specialised equipment, the company said in a statement.
The year-round readiness of F404-IN20 engines is critical to the battle preparedness of the Tejas Mk1 aircraft, and delays in maintenance cycles can impact fleet availability. Setting up the repair and overhaul capabilities at home will help in reducing logistical bottlenecks, particularly during global conflict scenarios.
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https://x.com/ANI/status/2043551885886628272?s=20 ---> GE Aerospace today announced a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to establish an in-country depot facility for the F404 -IN20 engines that power IAF’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fleet. The facility will be set up by the IAF with technical inputs from GE Aerospace and is expected to help India’s indigenous defence sustainment effort. Once operational, the facility will eliminate the need to depend on the overseas repair centres, significantly improving turnaround times. The depot facility will be owned, operated, and maintained by the Indian Air Force, with GE Aerospace providing technical inputs, training, support staff, and the supply of necessary spares and specialised equipment. This collaboration marks the next step in the four-decade-long partnership between GE Aerospace and the IAF.
The Indian Air Force will set up a domestic MRO facility for GE F404 engines powering Tejas jets, reducing reliance on overseas repairs and boosting fleet readiness amid delays and a fighter squadron shortfall.
India is taking a decisive step to keep its Tejas fleet combat-ready. The Indian Air Force has signed a major deal with GE Aerospace to set up a domestic repair and overhaul facility for F404-IN20 engines. This new depot will cut turnaround times, reduce dependence on overseas support, and boost operational readiness. It also strengthens India’s push for defence self-reliance by expanding local capabilities and technical expertise. The move comes as delays in engine deliveries continue to affect the LCA Mk-1A programme, with supply chain issues and recertification challenges pushing timelines back. However, with fresh engine deliveries underway and GE committing to supply 20 engines by December 2026, the new facility could prove critical in stabilising the programme and keeping more Tejas jets mission-ready.
New Delhi: Ravi Kota is set to be next Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a PSU under the Ministry of Defence. He has been recommended for the top post of HAL by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) panel on Thursday. Presently, he is serving as Director (Operations) in the same organisation.
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HAL's ₹10,000 crore bet - Tejas Production Doubles
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is significantly boosting its production capabilities, investing 10,000 crore rupees to fulfil a massive 2 lakh crore rupee order book, a major step in defence manufacturing India. This expansion includes rebuilding a production line in Nashik to accelerate the manufacturing of Tejas MK-1A fighter jets, directly supporting India's Make In India initiative. This move highlights India's growing strength in military aviation and aviation engineering.
uddu wrote: ↑28 Apr 2026 11:43Important BVR Upgrade | But is it Possible?
I am not sure if LCA MK1 has this feature to carry close combat missiles on the extreme end of the wing. If the weight of the towed decoy permits, then it can be carried
Found an old and Extremely Rare documentary video of Wing Commander AK Bharti (then CO) from No. 30th Sqn (Rhinos) from Lohegaon AFS, Pune based on Su-30MKIs
He explains about Thrust Vector control of Su-30MKI in combat, its importance in Modern air warfare, and what makes Su-30MKI a great platform for IAF needs (Must-watch).
His operational insight from that period is valuable. Today He is Air Marshal A. K. Bharti, serving as Director General of Air Operations in the IAF (DGAO-IAF), and recently associated with successful Operation Sindoor. His experience and Courage in planning and tactics helped IAF to win decisively in May-2025 Conflict
Tejas Mk-1A induction in limbo as crucial HAL-IAF review delayed
However, sources said the review meeting itself was contingent on HAL updating the IAF on progress in resolving pending technical issues, which has not happened yet.
According to the new HAL Ceo in the results analyst conference call, the pending work is heading in a very positive direction and the new deadline is Sep 2026. Funnily enough on a unrelated note not one word about the LUH was said(unless i missed something) either from the analysts or the executives.
Tejas Mk1A deliveries may slip beyond June; IAF open to concessions: Source
The source explained, for example, that if the aircraft possesses certain electronic warfare capabilities, but the required level of automation in that regard has yet to be achieved, the IAF would still be willing to accept deliveries, provided full functionality is assured in a timely manner down the line. “Pilots would manually perform such tasks in previous generations of aircraft, so that is something the IAF can work around for a certain amount of time,” the source added.
I hope the IAF is coming around to taking the bird with non critical capabilities being added over time.
The Radar deal with Israel be cancelled and go with the Uttam radar from 1st aircraft onwards. It's anyway delayed till September, and if Israel is unable to resolve the issues, whether due to their domestic issues or anything else, it will get further delayed. Though I am worried, if HAL management has taken up testing of Uttam on Tejas MK1A in it's final form. They will keep on slogging the old Israeli horse hoping to bring that to life. The last chairman has contributed immensely to this problem. Hope the current one is bold enough to take tough calls and go with the Uttam radar in parallel and get it tested and demonstrated while waiting for the issue resolved for Israeli one and once IAF is satisfied, fit Uttam on all aircrafts and deliver the planes.
HAL-IAF Tejas Mk-1A review pushed to June; IAF weighing further relaxations
“The issue is essentially about ensuring that the radar, electronic warfare suite and weapons architecture are all communicating seamlessly through the mission computer network. Some of these integration parameters are still undergoing refinement and validation,” a source explained
These are all things which happen with programs of this nature but it should have been anticipated by the parties involved.
HAL-IAF Tejas Mk-1A review pushed to June; IAF weighing further relaxations
“The issue is essentially about ensuring that the radar, electronic warfare suite and weapons architecture are all communicating seamlessly through the mission computer network. Some of these integration parameters are still undergoing refinement and validation,” a source explained
These are all things which happen with programs of this nature but it should have been anticipated by the parties involved.
Software issues takes time to resolve. Its teething problems still. They will grow up soon.
Delays happen and the famous quote "we do not know what we do not know" applies
however the former head of HAL Dr. D.K. Sunil was putting out new dates every time an old date was missed. Never questioned or grrilled by the appropreate leadership.
Where are the RM and to some extend secretary of defense (people reponsible)
wonder why no one asks RM as to the slippage of dates (so far) in the parliament!!
The IAF not taking in the maal due to software issues is rather a weak outlook and must not be tolerated. Even electric cars like Tesla have made it routine - software updates happen frequently, it is a work in progress with features added. IAF is into some old school thinking - they need perfection on day one when even the F-35 was inducted with warts and all into the US Airforce. The F-35 when flown across the international date line stopped all the clocks on board the F-35! These updates/changes take time and will happen whenever. Just pegging things into timelines is myopic thought. Pray tell when is there time to get the thing working when you are in unfamiliar territory of trying to prove things and making it work. Does IAF involve themselves in testing things? what exactly is their contribution towards making things happen like the Navy design bureau.
bala wrote: ↑17 May 2026 20:28
The IAF not taking in the maal due to software issues is rather a weak outlook and must not be tolerated. Even electric cars like Tesla have made it routine - software updates happen frequently, it is a work in progress with features added. IAF is into some old school thinking - they need perfection on day one when even the F-35 was inducted with warts and all into the US Airforce. The F-35 when flown across the international date line stopped all the clocks on board the F-35! These updates/changes take time and will happen whenever. Just pegging things into timelines is myopic thought. Pray tell when is there time to get the thing working when you are in unfamiliar territory of trying to prove things and making it work. Does IAF involve themselves in testing things? what exactly is their contribution towards making things happen like the Navy design bureau.
IAF is not ready to own the development of the product. They want to maintain a buyer seller relationship instead of partnership. Perhaps something historical between HAL and IAF that created a trust deficit.
uddu wrote: ↑16 May 2026 20:59Israeli Blow to India : Wake up Call
The Radar deal with Israel be cancelled and go with the Uttam radar from 1st aircraft onwards. It's anyway delayed till September, and if Israel is unable to resolve the issues, whether due to their domestic issues or anything else, it will get further delayed. Though I am worried, if HAL management has taken up testing of Uttam on Tejas MK1A in it's final form. They will keep on slogging the old Israeli horse hoping to bring that to life. The last chairman has contributed immensely to this problem. Hope the current one is bold enough to take tough calls and go with the Uttam radar in parallel and get it tested and demonstrated while waiting for the issue resolved for Israeli one and once IAF is satisfied, fit Uttam on all aircrafts and deliver the planes.
what prevents LRDE to start flight testing on one of the LSP series or TD1 or TD2 ,if they have not dismantled them ? LRDE has to validate all the modes of the RADAR and give a finished product to HAL for installation LCA mk1A. what is the point in blaming HAL when DRDO failed to deliver KAVERI and UTTAM ? why blame HAl? HAL has become a whore for all and sundry..
HAL management blamed for the decision to have the Israeli one. They are the ones pushed for it over Uttam and even decided to have it pushed to the 81st onwards. Now if they are getting caught for poor decision making, and still not able to resolve the issues and keep pushing the timelines again and again, the blame need to be on HAL. You can give excuse to HAL for once or even twice. But all the time coming back and saying, not ready after promising delivery is pathetic leadership and decision making. In private industry these people will be fired on the spot. Uttam is ready in it's third avatar.
The Upgraded Uttam is even in production for the prototypes of Tejas MK2 https://idrw.org/upgraded-uttam-gan-bas ... ejas-mkii/ https://defence.in/threads/uttam-gan-ba ... are.14350/
https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2026/0 ... wards.html
Electronics and Radar Development Establishment under DRDO's UTTAM AESA Radar has been cleared for production since 2023, and by April 2025 it had completed key flight trials and hardware qualification stages required for certification.
This was around the same period when the LOI was sent to Israel for the remaining 40 radars of the 83 TEJAS MK-1A order.
Recent developments confirm a shift back towards UTTAM, with HAL planning integration from the 41st TEJAS MK-1A aircraft onwards, aligning with deliveries ramping up in 2026.
This is a very positive development.
If around 5 to 6 Uttam is available to be fitted on those aircraft with engines and the delivery can be speeded up with a demonstration on MK1A rather than wait for the 41st aircraft.
These are the same excuses that we at BR gave HAL, including the delivery of the aircrafts will be faster once the issues are resolved etc etc.
Now let's ask the tough question.
The pathetic deicision to go with the israeli radar is well known. The excuse given is that it's a tried and tested radar. Tried and tested where? Tried and tested on the Tejas? This being a new AESA radar and putting it on a about to be delivered aircraft was on the foolish decisions of by HAL management. Now HAL is doing the work of IAI in finding issues with the radar and troubleshooting it and not only that even our own Astra missile software need to be updated for this imported radar? Who did that work? DRDO because of the botchup by HAL management. How much time and money more you will HAL invest in fixing the IAI radar? If they have some sense, and understanding must have worked easily with DRDO in integrating UTTAM and if any issue noticed even after the certification by CEMILAC can be fixed right away in collobarating with DRDO rather than wait for IAI to respond.
One more issue could happen in the near future. Once IAF accepts the delivery of the aircraft with the promise of software updates, IAI can state that the software issues changes that need to be done at their end are no more theirs as the aircraft delivery has happened and any fix need to be done should be by HAL and not knowing about the radar, it could lead to more delays.
In the meantime, HAL has ample time to do captive trials of glide bombs like TARA, Gaurav etc and above all start flying MK1A with Uttam.
When it comes to Indigenous radars, it must be impeccable, while the imported one can have many issues and still it will be called a tried and tested radar. Nation has still not come out of the colonial era mindset of imported is better, especially in govt decision making. https://x.com/i/status/2056238490615234847
@shreedharsingh9
The ELTa radar had several issues:
- For example, integration with Astra was problematic.
- A major challenge was integrating and synchronizing the EL/M-2052 AESA radar with the EW suite and other onboard mission systems.
- Software-level improvements for Radar modes
In terms of manufacturing and being innovative in using the Cat-B engines to do the testing, HAL has aced these two, while they did botchup is the selection of foreign systems over desi ones, on the typical belief of "Foreign is better" or "Foreign is tried and tested" mindset and now struggling to integrate them and fix issues found.
The state-run aerospace manufacturer announced that it has successfully built, flown, and evaluated approximately 30 Tejas Mk1A aircraft, including both fighter and trainer variants.
Reports of Astra Mk1 ER with 160 km range to be tested from Tejas MK1A and Su-30MKI in May to Jun 2026.
Pls don't quote IDRW. This rag that now uses AI to generate all its content, was the one that spread the news that the Tejas Mk2 prototype was just around the corner for it's first flight. Now it turns out roll-out itself will happen by the third quarter of this year and FF by March 2027.
Reports of Astra Mk1 ER with 160 km range to be tested from Tejas MK1A and Su-30MKI in May to Jun 2026.
Pls don't quote IDRW. This rag that now uses AI to generate all its content, was the one that spread the news that the Tejas Mk2 prototype was just around the corner for it's first flight. Now it turns out roll-out itself will happen by the third quarter of this year and FF by March 2027.
Even Sanjay Dixit ji and Jaipur Dialogues have been making their 10 mins capsule quoting this rag. Don't know why?
uddu wrote: ↑16 May 2026 20:59Israeli Blow to India : Wake up Call
The Radar deal with Israel be cancelled and go with the Uttam radar from 1st aircraft onwards. It's anyway delayed till September, and if Israel is unable to resolve the issues, whether due to their domestic issues or anything else, it will get further delayed. Though I am worried, if HAL management has taken up testing of Uttam on Tejas MK1A in it's final form. They will keep on slogging the old Israeli horse hoping to bring that to life. The last chairman has contributed immensely to this problem. Hope the current one is bold enough to take tough calls and go with the Uttam radar in parallel and get it tested and demonstrated while waiting for the issue resolved for Israeli one and once IAF is satisfied, fit Uttam on all aircrafts and deliver the planes.
Are they backstabbing at behest of Americans at this crucial juncture? Might be part of Iran war deal for Israelis.
The Elta EL/M-2052 radar is currently not installed on any Israeli airforce aircraft. The problem is not the radar, but integrating Indian weapons and EW suite with the radar. If IAF had opted for the I-Derbi-ER and a complete Israeli origin EW suite for the Tejas MK1A, then the software and integration problems would not have occurred.
One has to understand that the Radar is the heart of the entire avionics package and all the elements have to work together. Using the Uttam AESA would be much easier, as all the weapons that the radar would have to guide would be Indian and the EW suite like RWR etc. would all be Indian. If the jammer pod is imported, then the compatibility of the jammer pod and the radar would present a challenge. If we have an indigenous jammer pod, then everything becomes much easier. Plus all the elements, the radar, weapons package and the EW suite would be entirely in our control.
HAL decision to go with the Israeli radar was definitely wrong. Moreover, the radar is assembled in India by HAL (just a little bit of screwdriver giri, for which they charge IAF/MoD). Also the responsibility of integrating the ELM-2052 radar was with HAL, whereas integrating and testing the Uttam AESA is with DRDO. Citing the lack of available engines, the aircrafts required for flight, weapons and EW suite compatibility testing of the Uttam Aesa, was not made available to DRDO. This is what delayed the full spectrum testing of the radar, which would have then paved the way for the final certification.
The decision to use the Israeli radar for the entire first lot of 83 aircrafts was based on this premise, that the certification of Tejas MK1A with the Uttam Aesa would require at least 1 year if not more. Hence it would be prudent to use the ELM-2052 radar for the 1st batch and the Uttam for the second lot. It would provide enough time for the full spectrum testing and certification to take place. This even when the Uttam had outperformed the ELM-2052 slightly in trials conducted so far. If aircrafts had been made available to DRDO, the complete testing of the Uttam Aesa radar would been finished by now and certification could have been expected by the end of 2026.
In place of Atmanirbhar Bharat, we are moving towards Israel Nirbhar Bharat. The recent tests of Suryastra guided rocket systems and the Varun Astra loitering ammunition by Nibe Defense from Pune are also a case in point. Both the systems are entirely of Israeli origin with only the try colour painted on it. We mock Pakistan for claiming indigenous systems for simply applying green paint. In India too, too many mainly Israeli systems are being passed off as manufactured in India, while they have only been assembled and probably painted in India. No technology of knowhow received.
Tactical Delay for Long-Term Sovereignty!
Securing 80% domestic localisation before full-scale Tejas Mk2 production is a bold Atmanirbhar move.
India is deliberately breaking free from foreign OEM supply chains.
Sacrificing short-term timelines now will safeguard future fleets — MWF, AMCA & TEDBF — from critical engine & component dependencies.
This is how Bharat builds true strategic independence.
