Indian Air Force News and Discussions ll

[Sam6536]

It is literally their job to sell the plane, and now they know Tejas is not coming to the rescue for IAF maybe they think they can sell some 4th gen Gripens as they move on to their own 5th Gen programme.

No point going for the Gripen for India. It's a 4.5 gen jet similar to the Tejas MK2. But with a even diverse set of suppliers. Swedish offer has been on the table for the last couple of years. There's a reason India did not go for it, Gripen has always been among the worst contenders for MRFA (geopolitically + for domestic industry + economically).

I have attached a list of manufacturers for Gripen C. What the Swedish are offering is Gripen E which has more foreign components. Even the radar is not Swedish.

Tejas is a slow process but MK1A and MK2 will be inducted in decent quantities by 2030. Tejas quagmire has been due a multitude of issues. Proceeding with the Tejas as the frontline 4th/4.5 gen plane is the right call.

5th gen band aid can be Su57 as AMCA is still a long way to go. I don't see it being inducted before 2030-2035.

 

[Yasser76]

No point going for the Gripen for India. It's a 4.5 gen jet similar to the Tejas MK2. But with a even diverse set of suppliers. Swedish offer has been on the table for the last couple of years. There's a reason India did not go for it, Gripen has always been among the worst contenders for MRFA (geopolitically + for domestic industry + economically).

I have attached a list of manufacturers for Gripen C. What the Swedish are offering is Gripen E which has more foreign components. Even the radar is not Swedish.

Tejas is a slow process but MK1A and MK2 will be inducted in decent quantities by 2030. Tejas quagmire has been due a multitude of issues. Proceeding with the Tejas as the frontline 4th/4.5 gen plane is the right call.

5th gen band aid can be Su57 as AMCA is still a long way to go. I don't see it being inducted before 2030-2035.

I would argue Tejas has as much a diverse set of suppliers for the most important peices of the plane....

 

[Sam6536]

I would argue Tejas has as much a diverse set of suppliers for the most important peices of the plane....

Both MK2 and Gripen E use the GE F414 engine.

Agreed that Gripen has a more mature EW suite and avionics architecture with integrated LLM capabilities. In terms of product development Tejas might be a decade or so behind the Gripen.

Geopolitically Gripen is the worst option. Rafale is viable cos the French are a pole in world affairs.

Anyways what the Tejas represents for the ecosystem in the long term is a way better bet than the short hanging fruit of inducting Gripen E instead of Tejas MK2.

 

[Yasser76]

Both MK2 and Gripen E use the GE F414 engine.

Agreed that Gripen has a more mature EW suite and avionics architecture with integrated LLM capabilities. In terms of product development Tejas might be a decade or so behind the Gripen.

Geopolitically Gripen is the worst option. Rafale is viable cos the French are a pole in world affairs.

Anyways what the Tejas represents for the ecosystem in the long term is a way better bet than the short hanging fruit of inducting Gripen E instead of Tejas MK2.

Yes, best to go straight to MK2 Tejas I think, lessons learned from MK1 and MK1A can be applied.

The current fiasco on MK1A is just embaressing for all parties concerned....

 

[Sam6536]

Yes, best to go straight to MK2 Tejas I think, lessons learned from MK1 and MK1A can be applied.

The current fiasco on MK1A is just embaressing for all parties concerned....

And replace the aging Mig 21, Mig 27 and Jaguar fleet with what?

MK1A is a 4.5 gen replacement for the bison. MK2 is a future mainline aircraft for the IAF, if it was already in production we wouldn't have gone for the Rafale.

With the recently set up 3rd production line, HAL can only make 24 aircraft at max capacity right now. 2025-28 is almost booked for completing the existing MK1A orders.

MK2 serial production at the very best can only start around 2028-2029 after MK1A backlog is cleared. MK1 to Mk1A was a gradual jump unlike MK2.

Tejas MK2 order line will drag on to early 2030s.

 

[Yasser76]

And replace the aging Mig 21, Mig 27 and Jaguar fleet with what?

MK1A is a 4.5 gen replacement for the bison. MK2 is a future mainline aircraft for the IAF, if it was already in production we wouldn't have gone for the Rafale.

With the recently set up 3rd production line, HAL can only make 24 aircraft at max capacity right now. 2025-28 is almost booked for completing the existing MK1A orders.

MK2 serial production at the very best can only start around 2028-2029 after MK1A backlog is cleared. MK1 to Mk1A was a gradual jump unlike MK2.

Tejas MK2 order line will drag on to early 2030s.

I think you fail to understand. MK1A is not replacing anything.

There are 5 jets ready that HAL have been promised for years and IAF is not taking delivery.

It is game over

 

[Yasser76]

By two of the most respected defence writers in the world. Quite damning....

https://www.iiss.org/online-analysis/military-balance/2026/02/indian-fighter-procurement-milestones-mark-a-tortuous-path/

 

[Faithfulguy]

No point going for the Gripen for India. It's a 4.5 gen jet similar to the Tejas MK2. But with a even diverse set of suppliers. Swedish offer has been on the table for the last couple of years. There's a reason India did not go for it, Gripen has always been among the worst contenders for MRFA (geopolitically + for domestic industry + economically).

I have attached a list of manufacturers for Gripen C. What the Swedish are offering is Gripen E which has more foreign components. Even the radar is not Swedish.

Tejas is a slow process but MK1A and MK2 will be inducted in decent quantities by 2030. Tejas quagmire has been due a multitude of issues. Proceeding with the Tejas as the frontline 4th/4.5 gen plane is the right call.

5th gen band aid can be Su57 as AMCA is still a long way to go. I don't see it being inducted before 2030-2035.

AMCA will be miracle if it’s ready for 2045. Knowing the speed of development l unless you claim India will not receive SU-57 by 2025, than I agree with you.

 

[Yasser76]

AMCA will be miracle if it’s ready for 2045. Knowing the speed of development l unless you claim India will not receive SU-57 by 2025, than I agree with you.

India could do well to take lessons from Korea, Japan and Turkiye. Each of these did not try and reinvent the wheel. Each home produced F-16s with some element of ToT then when on to invest in 5th/6th Gen programmes with a long term view of getting a sealth plane in service in a decade or so.

Now look at India

Tejas MK1
Tejas MK1A
Tejas MK2
AMCA
TEDBF

Do you see the problem here?

 

[Vkdindian1]

Do you see the problem here?

No. Looks an impressive list.

 

[Ali_Baba]

No. Looks an impressive list.

That is why India fails ..

 

[Yasser76]

That is why India fails ..

Impressibe list of failures, and they celebrate as the list is longe. Ask yourself then why China is now at least 3 decades ahead....

 

[CallSignMaverick]

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DAC also accorded AoN. Now CCS is only pending.

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[CallSignMaverick]

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[Deino]

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Per my info it si not and will never!

But by the way, atotally different question, who is Mangesh Sawant? Allegedly "an expert on the Chinese military (PLA, PLAN, PLAAF and PLARF) with a focus on weapon systems, organisation, culture, warfighting capabilities and strategy and tactics."

honestly, I don't know him and as it seems he is a mystery! Is he on "X"?

Mangesh Sawant - Biography | Helion & Company | Military History Books

Find out more about Mangesh Sawant; just one of the military history authors, editors, artists, translators or series editors at Helion & Company.

www.helion.co.uk