First flight of SP21

http://idrw.org/

Safran to deliver full engine ToT?

Leading French engine manufacturer Safran has said that it is ready to transfer the full technology for jet engines that can power next generation fighter jets and has initiated talks on the matter

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/ready-to-partner-india-transfer-technology-of-jet-engine-safran/articleshow/73950370.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Thanks for the info.

Well., if foreign (Dassault) input did not occur, DRDO or HAL must have suddenly worked out how to fix a long term problem. Is that likely? I do not think so.

What I think is more likely  is that Dassault, who know how to design naval landing gear, replaced the inadequate locally designed landing gear (seriously overweight) with a sucessful design.

May not have been an ‘India can do anything’ moment but who cares? The idea is to get results. India did/could not and no amount of self promotion was going to change that.

The Indian air force is likely to insist on a clause for development of an indigenous aero engine when it clears a multi-billion dollar programme to go ahead with the next generation Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

While I appreciate forces would prefer a reliable source for equipment (supplies that cannot be interrupted for political reasons) I find it unusual that an air force should specify the source of supplies.

Sources said that while the first two squadrons of the AMCA will be powered by a variant of American origin GE 414 engine, the project will be clearing in the coming months on the condition that a parallel process be initiated by DRDO to develop a aero engine plant with foreign collaboration. “A clear path towards developing our own aero engine is essential and should be done along the AMCA programme which is being supported. If needed, foreign collaboration from western nations that have advanced technologies can be sought,” senior officials told ET.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iaf-to-add-clause-on-…

It is not a question of India seeking foreign help if reeded. It is precisely because India is not capable of producing a suitable aero engine itself that foreign help is absolutely required. USA, France, UK will have spent hundreds of billions  over the decades getting to the technologic position they are in. And India thinks a few hundred million will buy enough knowhow for Indian engineers to make Kaveri work? More like a few billion, I am afraid to say – if such a ToT is allowed at all by the foreign government concerned.

One alternative would be to get a team of the best, most knowlegeable, foreign programme managers and engineers with experience in the field to take over the programme. Will still costs billions to acquire the minimum knowledge to build engines but it might be possible to develop Indian engines in 10 years or so.

Read more at:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iaf-to-add-clause-on-local-engines-for-amca-fighters/articleshow/73162616.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Bengaluru, March 25, 2019:

Recently HAL had received drawings and documents related to FOC with limited clearance for LCA (Tejas) from CEMILAC and ADA. With this HAL can start working towards productionisation of FOC standard fighter aircraft.  The first aircraft in FOC configuration may roll-out by the end of this calendar year.  

Source HAL:  https://hal-india.co.in/HAL%20Produces%2016/ND__259

It is near the end of the year. Was not the schedule to deliver 16 FOC Mk1 frames by end March 2020? Anyone know what’s going on (or not going on)?