SiliconBit (silicon0000)
Trusted Member
Because the Brazilians have themselves stated that they're evaluating the Tejas. Lol. They're free to evaluate and negotiate with whosoever they wish to. It could be Lockheed for the F-16V, Dassault for the Rafale or even the Chinese for the J-10. That is their prerogative, as is their budget for the purchase.
One simple logic for having at least 2 different fighter types in service is to de risk one's fighter fleet. In the event that you have just 1 type in service and the country selling it to you decides to sanction you for whatever reason, you'll find you have no fighters left to fly.
You guys are acting as if someone on this forum is making up these articles. Even earlier, when the Brazilian Air Force chief himself stated that they were looking at the Tejas Mk1A, people on this forum were going nuts stating why would the Brazilians do that and mocking the Tejas. Despite the claim being made by the Brazilian Air Force chief himself!
Fact is that the Tejas is the closest modern 4th gen fighter in the F-5 class, apart from the JF-17. All other light fighters are essentially trainers modified to become fighters.
Tejas Mk1 is in service, and there's a contract for 83 in hand and another for 97 to come soon. That's 180 Tejas Mk1As on contract for HAL to deliver. So it's obvious that this is a type that will be in production for quite some time and will be supported for many years to come.
But the Tejas Mk1A is more modern and flies with an American engine that to an Air Force that has only flown Western fighters, is definitely more desirable than flying with a Russian RD-93 engine or a Chinese engine that is still in it's early years.
And it's also a fact that the Tejas Mk2 is now on course for prototype production and is almost guaranteed to enter IAF service. So it is for the Brazilians to take a call as to whether the Tejas Mk1A or Tejas Mk2 meet their needs and their timelines as well as their budget.
Dear I'm not making a judgment about whether Brazil will acquire Tejas or not. That's not my intention. I am in for an open discussion here. You mentioned that Brazil has requirements for two types of jets: Gripen and an "X" jet, which could be Tejas or another aircraft, even a 5th-generation fighter. While Brazil is open to evaluating various aircraft, they must have specific criteria. If diversification is the primary goal, both Tejas and Gripen rely on US engines, potentially exposing Brazil to sanctions/issues/delays etc. So In short, What I want to know is:
- What specific capabilities is Brazil seeking to add to its arsenal?
- How different aircraft, including Tejas, compare in terms of these capabilities.





