They haven’t yet made a choice. the Elta 2052 must’ve been L1 (lowest bidder) in the tender for the AESA radar and consequently was selected. But no contract has been awarded yet for the 73 Tejas Mk1A single seat fighters. The indigenous Uttam (also called AAAU) AESA radar is flying on LSP-2 and as per some people in the know, its doing pretty well so far. DRDO’s Chief is confident that it will be fully proven by next year and will be used on the Tejas Mk1A.

What is the update on AESA radar?

The AESA radar is integrated with the Light Combat Aircraft. The test and evaluation are going on at the moment. We are confident that AESA radar would be fully proven by the next year and would be ready for induction on Tejas Mk 1A.

And some updates on the Tejas Mk2/Medium Weight Fighter. The design phase has been completed for both the Air Force and Naval variants. GE F-414-INS6 engine for both variants.

What is the progress on Tejas II?

Tejas II is progressing well. The design phase has been completed. As far as the engine is concerned, the user is satisfied with the present one used and so we will go with the same. For the Indian Navy, we are working on a separate programme as the requirements are different. The design phase for Mark II Navy is over and it will certainly meet all their requirements.

Will there be substantial difference between Tejas II and Naval Mark II?

These are different aircrafts based on the different requirements of the users.

blurb on the AMCA

Is there anything else that you would like to speak about?

On the technology front, we are very seriously working on AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft). The design efforts have started, product development has begun and we are regularly interacting with the Indian Air Force (IAF) on this.

link

Looks like the Elta 2052 is not yet a done deal for the Tejas Mk1A. The competition is with the indigenous Uttam AESA radar that is flying on a LCA testbed (prototype LSP-2). Also, confirmation that Astra BVRAAM and the ASRAAM are being integrated onto the Tejas.

From HAL test pilot Harsh Vardhan Thakur’s Twitter

2052 is under integration. Uttam is flying on LCA. Whichever meets IAF”s requirements will be inducted. Indigenous EW suite is called UEWS (Unified….) Under development at DARE for LCA.

2052 only for trials so far. Not yet for 83.

He’s referring to the order for 83 Tejas Mk1A

We’re integrating Astra, ASRAAM and other weapons available in India.

Taking full advantage of the indigenous platform, the architecture caters to integrating any missile and /or any radar. The Indian mission computer, which is the brain of the LCA, controls the assets completely. There is no need for direct dialogue between radar and missile.

Hu … 🙁 16 per annum, that’s still not enough to reach their own target of keeping the number of units while at the same time increasing the number and even more replacing older types.
Any info on how long this production rate is held and when it will be increased?

Deino, the 16 per annum is the number that will be achieved by HAL sourcing the fuselage assemblies from within. However, the front, center and aft fuselage packages were assigned to private vendors and if they are upto the task, then the number of fighters that will be rolled out will increase to ~24 per year.

Exactly. Upgraded MiG-29s and Su-30MKIs are to fill the impending retirement of additional MiG-21 squadrons and not because of the scrapping of Article 370 and possible internal unrest as a result. The stocking up on AAMs is to do with War Wastage Reserves that need to be maintained and the fact that the number of sorties carrying live missiles shot up dramatically post the IAF’s Balakot air strikes. Consequently, older stocks would’ve either expired or gotten that much closer to getting expired.

India signs USD 700 million deal with Russia for 1000 additional air to air missiles

Soon to be a familiar sight over India..freaking potent combo !

Su-30MKI with Rafale jets during Exercise Varuna 2019.

https://www.aninews.in/news/national…0190729180503/

Interesting. India buying ~220 million USD of R-27s from Russia. Last time they bought R-27s was in 2013, 400 missiles from Ukraine.

Also there was talk about another deal for 300 R-73E and 400 RVV-AE. Hopefully meaning an export version of the R-77-1, to replace the old Ukrainian stock.

They did order those R-73Es and possibly the RVV-AEs..most likely due to the expiry of some of the existing stocks due to much greater usage and flight time post Balakot. There were a couple of articles talking about the IAF evaluating the RVV-MD, RVV-MD and the RVV-BD recently. Instead they’ve ordered the RVV-AE, the older variant. Only reason would be replenish stocks quickly.

But yes, interesting to see the order for those Alamos. Not quite sure which version of the R-27 was ordered although in the past the IAF has ordered R-27R1 and RE1, and the R-27T1 and TE1. One of the latest variants is the R-27EA active radar guided variant that is quoted as having a +130 km range.

R-27EA specs link