Tejas Mk2 Medium Weight Fighter: News & Discussion - 23 February 2019

[Nsmith]

HAL has been much worse than anyone had thought in terms of pulling their socks on the LCA program.

Fact that NaMo/Ninda Turtle haven't given danda to the MoD babus and HAL leadership to fast-track Mk1A and Mk2 is shameful.

Think safe to say there's going to be no rollout of Mk2 in calendar year 2026.

[Prem Kumar]

The Tejas Mk2 has yet to fly. Only post IOC of the Mk2, can discussions begin between Air HQ and HAL on orders. That has not stopped speculations on estimated production runs. Initially it was 200 air frames, now it has changed to ~ 100 aircraft as a first tranche and then a follow on order. When the discussions do begin on the Tejas Mk2, the Govt must commit towards 200 air frames at the onset.

I think Tejas-Mk2 will end up getting only an order of 100

1) IAF has ensured all our CAPEX will go into Rafales
2) By the time Tejas-Mk2 arrives, they will ask for AMCA
3) If Mk2 is delayed, they will clamor for more Rafales
4) Some nonsense like "force mix: combination of light, medium, heavy; stealth vs non-stealth" will be used

TEDBF is dead. Tejas-Mk2 is not quite there yet, but its induction % will be somewhere between Mk1a & TEDBF

[bala]

Sorry to say this: there is no pride of ownership by the IAF top brass. Maybe the lower level and pilots appreciate the desi aircraft. I am yet to see any reports coming from IAF praising features on the new Tejas which their motley crew of videshi crafts don't support, e.g. self diagnosis suite. We constantly hear about delays and this and that not integrated from IAF. Once the desi kaveri engine is fitted there will be more complaints, no adequate power, engine life and so on. All of these are growing pains and instead of complaints need an attitude change which says I will wait for next generation design iteration. Look at how the Chinese airforce lumps up their own crafts and continue to work on improving things.

[williams]

The Tejas Mk2 has yet to fly. Only post IOC of the Mk2, can discussions begin between Air HQ and HAL on orders. That has not stopped speculations on estimated production runs. Initially it was 200 air frames, now it has changed to ~ 100 aircraft as a first tranche and then a follow on order. When the discussions do begin on the Tejas Mk2, the Govt must commit towards 200 air frames at the onset.

I think Tejas-Mk2 will end up getting only an order of 100

1) IAF has ensured all our CAPEX will go into Rafales
2) By the time Tejas-Mk2 arrives, they will ask for AMCA
3) If Mk2 is delayed, they will clamor for more Rafales
4) Some nonsense like "force mix: combination of light, medium, heavy; stealth vs non-stealth" will be used

TEDBF is dead. Tejas-Mk2 is not quite there yet, but its induction % will be somewhere between Mk1a & TEDBF

I don't know. The current Rafale orders can only fill up 6 squads. MK1as can fill up another 10 squads. If they are planning for 42 squads there is room for Mk2.

TEDBF may be allowed to go all way to prototype stages to gain some experience.

[williams]

Sorry to say this: there is no pride of ownership by the IAF top brass. Maybe the lower level and pilots appreciate the desi aircraft. I am yet to see any reports coming from IAF praising features on the new Tejas which their motley crew of videshi crafts don't support, e.g. self diagnosis suite. We constantly hear about delays and this and that not integrated from IAF. Once the desi kaveri engine is fitted there will be more complaints, no adequate power, engine life and so on. All of these are growing pains and instead of complaints need an attitude change which says I will wait for next generation design iteration. Look at how the Chinese airforce lumps up their own crafts and continue to work on improving things.

Current top brass may not see it. But the next gen pilots may have different attitude if HAL can deliver on the quality. expectation.

[bala]

Current top brass may not see it. But the next gen pilots may have different attitude if HAL can deliver on the quality. expectation.

On Quality: HAL's tejas crafts are well built since the private players like L&T provide sub-assemblies. All the airshows have shown Tejas in good light and agility while flying.

On expectation: BBC - best of brochure claims is what is happening with IAF. HAL can only deliver based on R&D work being completed properly and tested/certified. These expectations will not happen overnight and take time, no timetable driven stuff will work.