😉 India is going to do a lot of the funding and give more input that it has given for MKI into the PAK FA project. I doubt that we will allow these components to be exported to China. Not going to happen. India is better of buying JSF then, which is not going to be given to China or Pakistan ever.

I think i read something along those lines in the BBC website a few weeks ago. But Britian has a more aggressive foreign policy than France and is more likely to be involved in America’s future wars than France. So what if the French say they won’t give their fighters at a crucial stage of deployment ?

What a needless post with a misleading title. :confused:

🙂 I think the next government in Centre and their policy will determine the fate of LCA. A leftist coalition may stop MRCA procurement and favor LCA. I also think Mr. Antony is very committed to LCA’s cause and will make sure it gets inducted if he gets another term.

Not that number of structural change but minor under wings and near engine ,there are talks of adding conformal tanks to it it may look little different,but few unconfirmed report i repeat unconfirmed reports that Air intakes will also see some changes .

Thats the point why Iaf wants to keep minimal orders for MK-I around (40) while MK-II (100) but some members think its the other wise and even started to mourn the death of Tejas :D:D

Tbf what is the point of these 40 planes then. What I am saying is that, if they are capable enough for 40 to be fielded why not order a 100. And if they plan to upgrade this 40 to MK2 standard why not order 100 and upgrade them to MK2 and buy another 100 MK2 outright.

Will the MKI1 and MK2s as different as the Hornet and the Super Hornet ?

The Hornet uses the 404 like the MK1 and Mk2 may use 414 like the SH. But i think the SH was so different because they wanted a larger plane with some stealth features, while that won’t be necessary for the Tejas.

If they cannot be upgraded to later versions then there is no point in buying any number of MK1s is there ?

Or the ordinary Mig 21s it is going to replace. Order 150+ LCA now and then upgrade it to MK2 in a phased manner. :diablo:

The problem to me seems to be that the Indian Government is giving the Air Force a bit of a free hand in its procurement needs. The LCA may not be as capable as its competitors at the moment, but it is indigenous. The government should just force the IAF to take an initial order of 100+ AC and then gradually upgrade it with latest avionics/engine to the MK2 standard. The IAF is down several squadrons and sheer numbers matter a lot. Its not like these aircrafts are going to see actual combat before the MK2 upgrades will be completed. The numbers will act as a good deterrent for the time being.

This is the only realistic way if we are ever going to gain expertise and make better fighters. 😮