Air Force Tejas Mk1A: News & Discussions: 02 January 2022

[pravula]

There could be 20 to 25 engines with the IAF.

Again, Tejas uses a unique version of F404, called F404-IN20. It’s not the same as the other 4000+ engines. Most of them do not even have FADEC afaik.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ec ... 392957.ece
The GE had delivered 65 F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas LCA from 2008 to 2016.

I lost you there. What does a delivery of 65 units have to do with 4000+ engines available to buy per OP?

[uddu]

There could be 20 to 25 engines with the IAF.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ec ... 392957.ece
The GE had delivered 65 F404-IN20 engines for the Tejas LCA from 2008 to 2016.

I lost you there. What does a delivery of 65 units have to do with 4000+ engines available to buy per OP?

Not that. There are available engines with us that could be used if things are that dire.

This news will be much more related to the point you raised. Tejas did fly with another variant F404-F2J3. Probably a precursor to F404-IN20.
https://indianexpress.com/article/expla ... -10378729/
Also In 2008, the Kaveri project was officially delinked with the Tejas; General Electric’s F404-F2J3 engine was procured as an interim solution.

[uddu]

Big- ये हुआ तो इतिहास बनेगा! Tejas + Kaveri Engine integration

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment is preparing the roadmap for a high-thrust variant of the Kaveri Derivative Engine that could emerge as a future indigenous replacement for the F404-GE-IN20 currently powering the Tejas Mk1A. Once the ongoing Kaveri Derivative Engine certification programme is completed, GTRE plans to initiate work on a new uprated core designed to deliver 55 kN of dry thrust, provided the required funding is sanctioned.

[pravula]

I lost you there. What does a delivery of 65 units have to do with 4000+ engines available to buy per OP?

Not that. There are available engines with us that could be used if things are that dire.

This news will be much more related to the point you raised. Tejas did fly with another variant F404-F2J3. Probably a precursor to F404-IN20.
https://indianexpress.com/article/expla ... -10378729/
Also In 2008, the Kaveri project was officially delinked with the Tejas; General Electric’s F404-F2J3 engine was procured as an interim solution.

Per GE, those engines were only used for TD purposes?

https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press- ... rst-flight

[uddu]

Per GE, those engines were only used for TD purposes?

https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press- ... rst-flight

Indeed its has higher thrust and also many other features. over the other F404 variants
https://www.geaerospace.com/military-de ... gines/f404

If situation is that dire, we could use the current engines with the IAF until things stabilize. Also if the Kaveri news is correct, then things are going in the right direction in the medium to long term solution. Makes Atmanirbharta in engines the one and only roadblock that need resolution, funding and whatnot.
The IAF must not shift goalposts once the DRDO Safran deal for engines are signed. This must be the engine/upgraded variant for future Sixth Gen fighters as well. We have expertise in every other area. Iterative progress need to be adopted by IAF. The obsession with relying on everyone else will again push back all the progress that we achieved in every other area. Hope IAF don't end up wasting next so many years tyring to figure out who should be courted to be our Sixth Gen Fighter partner. Just go with improving on AMCA tech.

One more aspect is the French cannot be trusted to stick to the engine development. They have a tendancy to withdraw half way through the project and pursue their own way out once they are comfortable with the tech after certain stage. This has happened with their Tank development with Germany and also with their Frigate partnership with the Italians. May happen with us as well. Hope we don't end up holding up an engine that's certain percentage complete and no way to completion, while not having a parallel program of engines of our own.

[pravula]

Per GE, those engines were only used for TD purposes?

https://www.geaerospace.com/news/press- ... rst-flight

Indeed its has higher thrust and also many other features. over the other F404 variants
https://www.geaerospace.com/military-de ... gines/f404

If situation is that dire, we could use the current engines with the IAF until things stabilize. Also if the Kaveri news is correct, then things are going in the right direction in the medium to long term solution. Makes Atmanirbharta in engines the one and only roadblock that need resolution, funding and whatnot.
The IAF must not shift goalposts once the DRDO Safran deal for engines are signed. This must be the engine/upgraded variant for future Sixth Gen fighters as well. We have expertise in every other area. Iterative progress need to be adopted by IAF. The obsession with relying on everyone else will again push back all the progress that we achieved in every other area. Hope IAF don't end up wasting next so many years tyring to figure out who should be courted to be our Sixth Gen Fighter partner. Just go with improving on AMCA tech.

Dude, if the situation is dire, IAF will just Import Aircraft Forcibly. Infact thats probably the plan. Sabotage Tejas to Import Aircraft From France/Russia/USA/China/Pakistan/Sweden/Korea/Bangladesh