Indian Air Force News and Discussions ll

[TAC]

The delay in Tejas Mk1A deliveries may turn out to be a blessing in disguise because it is increasingly becoming clear that the aircraft could be delivered with the indigenous UTTAM AESA radar from the very beginning. Initially, the plan was to equip the first 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft with the Israeli ELTA-2052 radar and the remaining 97 with UTTAM AESA. Now, reports suggest that the 41st aircraft will feature UTTAM. However, I believe even the first 40 aircraft could eventually be delivered with UTTAM AESA, given that the delays have already occurred and the indigenous radar is now entering production.

Astra Microwave Bags ₹2,205 Crore HAL Uttam Radar Order

Astra Microwave Products has secured a ₹2,205.23 crore order from HAL to supply key components for the indigenous Uttam AESA Radar.

www.defencexp.com

Yeah sure pal, all Tejas delays have been a ‘blessing in disguise’ cos you can keep changing / updating what you’re going put in it BUT suggest you still have to deliver at some point in time.

 

[Oscar]

The AMCA program has just suffered a very serious setback. I don't know if it has been reported in the news yet, but it appears that HAL was taking everybody for a ride with their claims.

India will have to procure 5th gen fighters from abroad or risk being at a serious disadvantage. (AMCA will be needed too, but it won't be here in time.)

Which is what I pointed out is the issue - powerpoint presentations are great - project stand ups are great - until it actually comes to the realization that nothing was actually done.

That has nothing to do with IAS or babus or otherwise.

India is suffering basic management bloat -
I see it in my own org with the Indian side of the equation where you have these fools holding regular teams calls - 15 minutes - to just update what they have updated in xyz system and what part of process is done. All stuff AI can easily track but this guy is being paid a salary for.

The same goes for every Indian defense project - its presentation after presentation - ticks after ticks, stamps after stamps and by the time this cycle of ticks and stamps is done your project is not only behind and over budget it is obsolete and your customer... IAF, IN or IA is left having to buy at 4 times the price from abroad.

And NO ONE of any actual consequence - at least in Dehli - is brave enough in government to point out "Maybe the problem is who we are collectively as Indians"

After all, did these Babus every Indian bemoans come from Jupiter??

 

[Gregor Clegane]

The AMCA program has just suffered a very serious setback. I don't know if it has been reported in the news yet, but it appears that HAL was taking everybody for a ride with their claims.

India will have to procure 5th gen fighters from abroad or risk being at a serious disadvantage. (AMCA will be needed too, but it won't be here in time.)

BS as HAL is not involved in AMCA program.

 

[moonaman.varavayi]

BS as HAL is not involved in AMCA program.

Not anymore, it aint:

HAL Failed Bid To Build India's Stealth Jet On "Routine Technical Grounds": Defence Secretary RK Singh

HAL fails to qualify for AMCA prototype programme

If you think that the private companies with zero experience can stick to the announced timeline (first flight in 2 years), I have a beautiful marble domed building in Agra to sell for cheap.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for private participation in the aerospace sector to whatever degree is possible. But there is no way that a private greenfield venture, at this point in time, can stick to the announced timeline.

 

[moonaman.varavayi]

And NO ONE of any actual consequence - at least in Dehli - is brave enough in government to point out "Maybe the problem is who we are collectively as Indians"

After all, did these Babus every Indian bemoans come from Jupiter??

I don't disagree, but what would be the point of that angle?

Saying "We are Indians and we collectively suck, so let's not hope for or expect anything" is not exactly helpful.

Saying "We are Indians and we collectively suck, so let us become Germans or Japanese" is not very practicable either.

Speaking strictly about defence matters, the problem goes far beyond procurement issues. It is almost a civilizational failure that we neglect building up our military capabilities. There is simply no excuse for the Indian military to be inferior (in some respects) to even Pakistan's, given the size of our economy, landmass and population.

A cultural change has to come about - but I'm not sure from whom. I doubt that a few individuals, no matter how powerful they may be, can bring about such a radical change at every level.

Maybe privatization can eventually help with the procurement issues - tell the private companies and everybody working in them that their paycheck will arrive only when the aircrafts fly and fire weapons.

That still does not address the deeper cultural/civilizational issues we have.

 

[Hakikat ve Hikmet]

AMCA By 2028? Impossible’: Abhijit Iyer-Mitra Challenges New Timeline For India's 5th-Gen Fighter​