Considering GTRE’s dependency on Snecma to fulfil the IAF’s needs, I’d say yes. As for private R & D, I agree there are few firms willing to put in that level of effort. But there are such firms. Tata, Mahindra, Wipro, L & T, and so on are heavily involved as subcontractors in various DRDO projects and are pretty eager to enter full-scale defence production. I should think they’re prepared for the R & D part with that level of enthusiasm. Kirloskar developed generators just for Indian Navy ships, I think they may be coaxed into jet turbine design if the government gave them incentive to do so.

But having experience with materials and manufacturing processes is crucial to developing and testing engines. It would not be too difficult for the HAL engine unit to start up an R & D centre and hire scientists.

1. Yes, the government will have to provide the incentive, but considering our socialist setup till the 1990s and that still continues in some arms of the government such changes would have been quite hard to come.

2. What we are looking at is two different points in the chain from development to production. The production team could definitely contribute to improvements and suggestions in design but expecting them to do design and develop at a time where everything is getting specialized, I must say I have my doubts.

If the only argument to let GTRE go on with their pet projects indefinitely is that there is no alternative, then it is a poor argument. Why can’t the government fund feasibility studies and start-ups from private engine-makers like Tata & Kirloskar? Why can’t HAL’s engine division graduate from license-building foreign engines to starting R & D on its own designs?

1. No it should not be argued to let GTRE off the hook, but it is the government and only the government which could initiate any policy changes to bring in other players.

2. Time to market from development to production to distribution is important in the success of any product. If we expect the private players to do indigenous development, I guess we may be asking too much. As a share holder of a company I may look for some quick bucks than waiting too long a term for return as competition would mean no guaranteed success. That is a huge risk considering the fact that their are few private sector companies with such deep pockets. So their route would be a JV with an established foreign firm as suggested by Matt which would lead to the fact that there is a level of dependency to a foreign firm. And now would it be acceptable?

3. There is a difference between scientist, engineer, and a production team[what would be the word for that:o]. I guess that would be the reason why HALs unit has not yet moved to engine development.

Did any body recently notice that there has been some new hopes of LCA Kaveri integration, though not to be expected to be offered to IAF, after the recent high altitude test success?

Some how what these PSUs lack is a good PR wing. Unless the organisation does not come out and address the criticism according to its merit, the negative mood will continue to persist. I think Hari’s post will reassure many if not all.

MMRCA BUZZ: MiG-35 Was Never In The Running?

But when it comes to meaningful industrial collaboration, the Indian government feels the Russians are better at selling and license building, rather than true blue industrial cooperation.

Some how I feel the EADS strategy has been aligned on this very point, they made an excellent move by offering to take India o board as a partner. Gripen would be able to make such an offer. Need to see how the French and the US will counter it. Already its a gloomy weather between India and US on the CISMOA.

While we’re dreaming about all that, why not establish giant naval bases in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Vietnam as well?:D

Easier is to upgrade the relation with the South East Asia countries. The defense spending pattern that is emerging right now shows that they are willing to protect their area of influence after the recent incidents involving China in the South China sea.

Regarding the A3 I guess the defense minister had made a statement in the Parliament that it would be made operational soon. Now the only doubt is the difference in the meaning of the word ‘SOON’ for us and the babus. 😉

But I really hope that India improve on non nuclear tipped cruise missile front, Brahmos & Nirbhay.

Really. Its more types then the USAF and they have almost 3 times the number of planes.

I guess you have not counted the various types of fighters in IAF stable any time before. Its easier to visit India and see all them rather than going to their country of origin. We got an international air show almost every day in the Indian skies. :dev2:

Hopefully once LCA rolls out, it would be able to replace many of the fighters in a decade time.

FGFA, Su 30 MKI, MMRCA, LCA I guess that should be what we may be looking at hopefully by 2025. Ooops missed out AMCA when it rolls out:) And again Mig 29K for the navies and they may have N-LCA and one more naval fighter probably.

Need to have a look at what Russia and US would have in their stables at that time.

It’s the same for other PSUs. I doubt any of them(in recent times) have had a situation where they have had to lay off employees due to lack of funds like the Russian defence industry. They are assured enough funding in their projects in the MoD’s budget.

I don’t think lay off. But let us ask has the PSUs lost out to brain drain? If yes, why? those would be a good area to ponder.

As for the the last part here is a link, though not on Airforce.

Indian industry at landmark defence tender

Now what do you think will the private industry come out good in this? It is their big chance. Would they put efforts towards ‘indigenous’ development or partner with a foreign firm to get quicker product realization.

Wicha sorry and nothing personal, but, why do you keep on complaining. There are people trying make the elephant change and move a bit quicker, hey but this is India and not China. It is quite tiring to keep on reading about why PSU is bad why they are all wrong and why they should be dismantled. The internet is full of that. If the MoD doesn’t support competition in internal market it is not the mistake of a PSU. A monopoly can mostly be trouble, but that is economics and not something to do with a PSU alone. I do not intend to hurt your feelings, just saying what I felt 🙂

A better comparison would be crashes per sorties or per hour of operation.