HAL LCA Tejas: Updates, News & Discussions

[Daiba]

The point is not should have and what might have been better!

It is useful because it tells what kind of thinking leads to short-sighted decisions.

IMHO, here, India's stupidity in managing inventory is main issue. F404 did not have any domestic customers left in USA. India should have placed order to stock pile them as producing those engines was not a priority for GE. This was possible as early as 2014 when FOC was at hand.

Second point, US has a habit of taking money and not supplying goods. It has happened fairly often. So putting money in such a vendor's hand is stupidity.

Again, to re-engine the Tejas it‘s too late since it would require a whole new redesign of the rear fuselage, additional tests and certification for what is already a long delayed and IMO failed project!

I don't think so. India should even now go for a variant powered by a non-American engine. It will not take 30-40 years for that to mature. At worst 2-3 years. It will give India flexibility. And India is going to produce this fighter all the way till late 2030s anyway.

Not to mention, starting such effort will put a lot more pressure on GE. Infact, from now on, ALL the platforms should be moved away from American engines or atleast variants not having American engines should be invested in.

China had gone through an analogous phase when its own planes did not have a quality Chinese engines. J-20 has shuffled a few engines, including Russian ones. It is not impossible to manage variants.

 

[onlinpunit]

Same could be said about EJ200 and M88.
Infact a Kaveri with M88 core would have made more sense.

Right now, India is juggling F404 (which arrive at Washington's pleasure), M88s for Rafale and like India will get an assembly plant for that if order of 100+ Rafales goes through, RD33 MK (for Mig29/K) which are again assembled locally using Russian parts.
All of these are in similar or same thrust class. Would have made sense to keep them 2.

Just because something is shiny does not mean you stuff your home with it and 10 more things like it.

The engines were selected when the india usa relationship was developing after the end of cold war.
The engine and Fly by wire technology selection was part technical and part diplomatic sweetening.

 

[peacemaker99]

Hello boys, it was announced today that lca mk2 test flight will be by jan 2027.

This means high likelihood the plane has already flown. People nesr HAL know that public flights are just formalities for political bosses. LCH was spotted flying all over HAL for 4 or 5 months before the official first flight.

 

[Deino]

Hello boys, it was announced today that lca mk2 test flight will be by jan 2027.

This means high likelihood the plane has already flown. People nesr HAL know that public flights are just formalities for political bosses. LCH was spotted flying all over HAL for 4 or 5 months before the official first flight.

Never ever was there a Flight already!

 

[Cookie Monster]

Just seems like a never ending round of tests, integrations and trials that seem to go on for years, if not decades, while at the same time we are told dilvery is immiment and never seems to happen....

U r wrong. Many PDF Indian experts have already told us since like 10 years ago that hundreds of Tejas would be inducted in IAF while PAF would be obsolete with J7s, Mirages...
...and it's now 2026 so quite obviously IAF is ready to fight on 2.5 fronts.

 

[Shui]

Hello boys, it was announced today that lca mk2 test flight will be by jan 2027.

This means high likelihood the plane has already flown. People nesr HAL know that public flights are just formalities for political bosses. LCH was spotted flying all over HAL for 4 or 5 months before the official first flight.

@Big_Strong_Brother_India gives a like, lol.

 

[CallSignMaverick]

U r wrong. Many PDF Indian experts have already told us since like 10 years ago that hundreds of Tejas would be inducted in IAF while PAF would be obsolete with J7s, Mirages...
...and it's now 2026 so quite obviously IAF is ready to fight on 2.5 fronts.

Afaik 200+ of PAF jets are kinda retirement age no? Even the JF-17 Block-1s are nearing retirement age since their airframe lives were quite low (no idea about later blocks). All's not hunky dory with PAF either mate.

Hello boys, it was announced today that lca mk2 test flight will be by jan 2027.

This means high likelihood the plane has already flown. People nesr HAL know that public flights are just formalities for political bosses. LCH was spotted flying all over HAL for 4 or 5 months before the official first flight.

What's your source? I remember they said there won't be any rollout ceremony but direct first flights but i think people in bangalore would record it if it is flying.