name one other non US, Russian or EU fighter that doesn’t require an imported engine or even radar for that matter..engines are the achilles heel for almost all jets or even props produced by nations that historically haven’t produced complex systems like aircraft and don’t have the entire supply chain of suppliers and R&D in related fields. It is not something that is limited to the Tejas alone..even today, with massive investments, China remains dependent on the Russians for engines, South Korea uses American engines on their T-50 family, as does Sweden for the Gripen. And it’s not like the Tejas isn’t in service because of import issues, so really what you said -“Tejas is simply tainted by imports” is true of a host of other airplanes too.

In 2012 India was to have completed capacity to manufacture engines for the MKI from beginning to end. My question had nothing to do with the other projects.

Without a doubt Standard missiles can strike tanks. Back in 1982 when the USS New Jersey was pounding a Syrian tank column it ran across my mind that one Standard shot was roughly one HE round from a battleship… only guided. Someone in the USN long before that time knew that, too, as almost every ship borne SAM has been dual-role. Standard shots are basically flexible delivery packages ranging from anti-missile to anti-ship to precision strike. In an emergency it can be an anti-submarine weapon. With its GPS, laser gyro, and programmable fuse; one missile does it all.

If they could manufacture the engines rather than just assemble it would lend itself to independence. Have they completed the process to get all the tooling, yet? Last I read they were still working on it.

Too bad Super 30 didn’t wedge in 117S to advance deploy it ahead of its PAKFA introduction. It would delay Super 30 a little, but extend them long term. Also gives the Russians more experience for their Su-35 line.

My guess is they will focus on engines, hydraulics and actuators, ergonomy, and basic control theory on ATD-X. Not so much on the actual war fighting suite.

24dmu has been funded, too, correct? Should be good designs coming out of Japan.

The MKI is hampered by the sole sourcing arrangements currently agreed upon between India and Russia. India could have opened up competition between vendors to at least diversify their fleet. It is sole sourcing that will always kill any independence of the MKI squadron operations. Their availability will always ebb and flow as the Russians see fit. Let’s face it, even Tejas has been an effort dependent on imports. Until the Indian government allows the military to operate more freely to acquire technology, they will always be dependents.

What India needs is competition. MRCA was supposed to supply that. But apparently their democracy is eating itself from within and MRCA is dead in the water.

Its Bastille Day, any big displays by the French services?

What part(s) on it keeps getting smudged?