HAL LCA Tejas: Updates, News & Discussions

[Tejas Spokesman]

I no longer follow Tejas programme regularly so I am not in on updates. But before HAL commits to 97 Tejas doesn't it need to first address the engine issue? With the downward trend in Indo-US relations is India still willing to commit to GE F404 engine for Tejas? If not, then what's the alternative? Also, GE supply of F404 seems to be going very slow, with only two engines handed over so far (correct me if I am wrong). Given the tarrif issue and slow pace of GE it seems doubtful to me that HAL will have enough engines for 12 aircraft starting next year.

Engine issue already resolved

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[hussain0216]

Failed? How?

If jf17 block 3 flying with similar configuration - how can another aircraft can considered failed?

I believe there must be very solid logic

JF17s have now been protecting Pakistani skies for almost 20 years and have been part of multiple conflicts and have been used against multiple enemies

More money and time has been spent on Tejas and it has been absent for one reason or the other, India has needed Tejas for 15 years at least and it's been nowhere, India has ended up sending in Mig21s and ended up humiliated


Considering the decades and billions spent and repeated failures and inability to hit targets, it's been a failure of a program even if it ends up providing some jets in the end

 

[side-winder]

JF17s have now been protecting Pakistani skies for almost 20 years and have been part of multiple conflicts and have been used against multiple enemies

More money and time has been spent on Tejas and it has been absent for one reason or the other, India has needed Tejas for 15 years at least and it's been nowhere, India has ended up sending in Mig21s and ended up humiliated


Considering the decades and billions spent and repeated failures and inability to hit targets, it's been a failure of a program even if it ends up providing some jets in the end

Get ready now for a lecture on indiginization and made in India.

 

[Terracotta Warrior]

JF17s have now been protecting Pakistani skies for almost 20 years and have been part of multiple conflicts and have been used against multiple enemies

More money and time has been spent on Tejas and it has been absent for one reason or the other, India has needed Tejas for 15 years at least and it's been nowhere, India has ended up sending in Mig21s and ended up humiliated


Considering the decades and billions spent and repeated failures and inability to hit targets, it's been a failure of a program even if it ends up providing some jets in the end

Absolutely agree with you. In FM Munir’s words, it’s the Pakistani dump truck—doing exactly what it was meant to do.

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

Honestly speaking

You guys should disband IAF and buy dozens and dozens of S400 batteries

After all they have shot down half a dozen invisible Pakistani aircraft as per your clown chief unlike your aircraft that themselves got shot down

I am too Honestly speaking, I don’t see the Pakistan Air Force making a real difference in a full-scale war.

With its current strength, it is effective only in border skirmishes—flying in relatively safer airspace and relying heavily on support aircrafts. But in a full-fledged war, those support platforms won’t be able to operate so close to the borders. Without them, PAF’s capability is too limited to pose a serious threat.

As I’ve said before, warfare has already changed and is changing fast. Relying too heavily on the air force, while ignoring other critical areas, is a flawed approach.

The only real concern for India remains the potential of nuclear escalation. Beyond that, I consider the PAF overrated (in Pakistani views) in terms of its impact during an actual war.

Before the 2000s, air forces were often the first line of action in war. But with modern air defence systems becoming far more advanced, that’s no longer the case. Today, fighter jets can only achieve air dominance after enemy defences are first degraded or broken—using standoff weapons, drones, or missile strikes but seems, Pakistan is not prepared for it

 

[ThoroughPro]

Job security

I don't think Trump would be happy, India dumping US offer and going for more Rafales. If he is substantially pissed off, he might replace "6 jets shot down" with "6 rafales shot down". That would be hilarious and disastrous for Rafale.

 

[Liquidator]

Will these 97 aircraft also be on holiday during the next war?

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

JF17s have now been protecting Pakistani skies for almost 20 years and have been part of multiple conflicts and have been used against multiple enemies

More money and time has been spent on Tejas and it has been absent for one reason or the other, India has needed Tejas for 15 years at least and it's been nowhere, India has ended up sending in Mig21s and ended up humiliated


Considering the decades and billions spent and repeated failures and inability to hit targets, it's been a failure of a program even if it ends up providing some jets in the end

Mig 17 protecting north Korea airspace over 50 years, then it must be most superior aircraft , if I believe your logic.

I was just referring about the technology by the way!

And different between spending money - Pakistan future aircrafts will be totally on OEM aircrafts but india, will not.

 

[NGAD IS THE BEST]

Engine issue already resolved

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And after march 2026? And GE agree to sell you 2 per month this means production of tejas is/will be 2/month till March 2026? Am I right Mr TEJA BHAI?

 

[onlinpunit]

Same here. Retirement age is 60 but they keep on ticking

I would give them Forced Retirement and sell the whole thing brick by brick to the highest bidders.

 

[Areesh]

I am too Honestly speaking, I don’t see the Pakistan Air Force making a real difference in a full-scale war.

With its current strength, it is effective only in border skirmishes—flying in relatively safer airspace and relying heavily on support aircrafts. But in a full-fledged war, those support platforms won’t be able to operate so close to the borders. Without them, PAF’s capability is too limited to pose a serious threat.

As I’ve said before, warfare has already changed and is changing fast. Relying too heavily on the air force, while ignoring other critical areas, is a flawed approach.

The only real concern for India remains the potential of nuclear escalation. Beyond that, I consider the PAF overrated (in Pakistani views) in terms of its impact during an actual war.

Before the 2000s, air forces were often the first line of action in war. But with modern air defence systems becoming far more advanced, that’s no longer the case. Today, fighter jets can only achieve air dominance after enemy defences are first degraded or broken—using standoff weapons, drones, or missile strikes but seems, Pakistan is not prepared for it

You don't need to worry about PAF. Only thing you need to worry about is IAF that should be disbanded since clearly your air defense systems are far better than your airforce if we believe in lies of your air chief. You can better use your budget on buying S400. This would also save a lot of deaths of your pilots thus saving many bharati women from becoming widows

 

[onlinpunit]

And after march 2026? And GE agree to sell you 2 per month this means production of tejas is/will be 2/month till March 2026? Am I right Mr TEJA BHAI?

That will be 24 planes per year. The mix capacity is 36 any way !

 

[onlinpunit]

JF17s have now been protecting Pakistani skies for almost 20 years and have been part of multiple conflicts and have been used against multiple enemies

More money and time has been spent on Tejas and it has been absent for one reason or the other, India has needed Tejas for 15 years at least and it's been nowhere, India has ended up sending in Mig21s and ended up humiliated


Considering the decades and billions spent and repeated failures and inability to hit targets, it's been a failure of a program even if it ends up providing some jets in the end

So why are you buying new stuffs ?

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

You don't need to worry about PAF. Only thing you need to worry about is IAF that should be disbanded since clearly your air defense systems are far better than your airforce if we believe in lies of your air chief. You can better use your budget on buying S400. This would also save a lot of deaths of your pilots thus saving many bharati women from becoming widows

Bro - you were caring about iAF, with honesty, I just replied with honesty what I believe . Nothing else. Thanks.

I agree the IAF still needs to build more teeth—say 12 AWACS and 6–8 EW aircraft would make a huge difference overall.

That said, my view on India–Pakistan has shifted. In today’s context, the air force won’t decide the outcome of a war. The tactics of the 1970s—when aircraft would rush in, strike enemy space, and bomb—no longer apply. That time, no long range missiles were available, no standoff weapons, no drones - so important of airforce was very high. And critical. ( Specially india and pakistan case)

Air defence systems has changed everything - people need to analysis - iran israel, Russia Ukraine and also india Pakistan war.

Now the real game is about resilience: who can absorb more hits and keep defending will have the upper hand. If that ability is lacking, even the best aircraft could end up as sitting ducks on the ground

 

[SABRE]

GE will be able to deliver 6-12 engine per year max. So the planned procurement of Tejas will take 10+ years with this pace. Unless they somehow convince Americans to fast track deliveries of GE engines.

I think - but I am not sure - they were/are planning to get the technology. I am uncertain it would happen soon, if at all. Moreover, with Trump seemingly poised on forcing India into acquiescence I am not even sure GE would be supplying the engines on timely basis or if India would continue ahead with this engine. However, without GE engine Tejas project in its entirety would be hanging by the noose.