LCA TEJAS MK-I & MK-IA: News and Discussion

[Patriots]

Pump more money in engine development ....
Atleast , ask saffron again to refine the kaveri , only if it can generate thrust of current ge f404 .....if they are asking more money , then it's better than daily black mailing of usa

 

[Anants]

They can do wonders with peanuts of the budget..

Build wonderfool DHAs..

 

[dumdumdum]

As per this video @ 4:40, 14 AirFrames are ready & awaiting Engines

Indian Defence Updates

 

[Spitfire IX]

As per this video @ 4:40, 14 AirFrames are ready & awaiting Engines

Indian Defence Updates

14 sounds reassuring. IIRC the original delivery production target was 8 frames FY 23-24 and 16 frames in following financial years, so 24 frames by April 2025.

About the Indian Defence Updates video: I know that this source is unreliable but it mentioned that avionics would still need to be fitted after engines were fitted. Why? I think you can remove engines from fighter aircraft without removing avionics.

As I pointed out a few days ago ,I think that you only need one -IN20 engine to fully test several new Mk1A so that when engines become available, the aircraft are ready to go once new engines are fitted.

 

[Azaad]

14 sounds reassuring. IIRC the original delivery production target was 8 frames FY 23-24 and 16 frames in following financial years, so 24 frames by April 2025.

It's 14 frames by Mar 25 of which 05 will be delivered by HAL to the IAF coz they've only so many GE F-404 TFs in their inventory . The rest will be delivered on receipt of additional TFs .

With the Nashik line of HAL coming into play from September - October 2025 , HAL could make as many as 20 air frames ready by Mar'26 with deliveries to IAF determined by the number of TFs it receives from GE.

 

[dumdumdum]

Does anybody have any idea if the supply chain issues related to GE 404 are real or are these sanctions by stealth?

 

[Spitfire IX]

There seems to be some news that GE outsourced a component production to a South Korean firm producing F404 and now that firm is bankrupt. There is also news that F414 production isn't impacted. Don't know how much truth in this.

That would explain the delay -supply chain problems. I wonder how long it takes/has taken for GE to substitute another source of supply.

 

[Azaad]

https://archive.is/2024.10.28-122116/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-28/ge-aerospace-says-over-a-dozen-suppliers-at-fault-for-shortages#selection-1713.0-1719.387

This Gloomberg article doesn't paint a cheerful picture. Infact the problem seems to be getting worse or in any case the reveal certainly is.

 

[rohitb3]

Offtopic from Tejas mk1A deliveries, but if im not wrong, even the initial order of 40 Tejas mk1 is not completed?

 

[Blademaster]

Can tejas mk1a take in GE414 engines that can be derated and avoid the hassle of maintaining two lines of two different engines?

It would make sense to go in on GE414 and avoid supply issues that would come with 404 engines?

 

[Spitfire IX]

Can tejas mk1a take in GE414 engines that can be derated and avoid the hassle of maintaining two lines of two different engines?

It would make sense to go in on GE414 and avoid supply issues that would come with 404 engines?

While published on idrw.org, this piece strongly suggests that the idea of installing the F414 in Mk1A is not practical. The idea was raised to mitigate delay in Mk1A production due to late delivery of F404. It would not do that, so pursuing the idea would be pointless.

Assessing Feasibility: Can the F-414 Engines Replace the F-404 Engines on Tejas Mk1A? – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

Best course of action? Everyone knows that India needs to develop a jet engine. That was decided 30 years ago by GOI but not implemented. Very difficult to do but going through the motions at minimal cost does not result in a jet engine falling into your lap. Never been done by any country. India is no exception.

 

[Blademaster]

While published on idrw.org, this piece strongly suggests that the idea of installing the F414 in Mk1A is not practical. The idea was raised to mitigate delay in Mk1A production due to late delivery of F404. It would not do that, so pursuing the idea would be pointless.

Assessing Feasibility: Can the F-414 Engines Replace the F-404 Engines on Tejas Mk1A? – Indian Defence Research Wing

idrw.org

I think HAL should accelerate the Mk2 program and move the rest of the orders to MK2 from MK1A. It makes no sense to continue with the GE404 engine program since there are no other takes for this engine and is being phased out in favor of GE414.

Time to bite the bullet and just move ahead with GE414 because it means that production won't be an issue.

 

[Spitfire IX]

I think HAL should accelerate the Mk2 program and move the rest of the orders to MK2 from MK1A. It makes no sense to continue with the GE404 engine program since there are no other takes for this engine and is being phased out in favor of GE414.

Time to bite the bullet and just move ahead with GE414 because it means that production won't be an issue.

But Mk1A coupled with F404 is the only way for IAF to get new fighters in the next few years. Plus 83 Mk1A were ordered, some in the process of being built and parts for many more doubtless being produced.

Like you, I think that Mk2 development should be accelerated but the complex of players involved in development are not responsive to needs, so accelerating development looks extremely unlikely.

 

[Blademaster]

But Mk1A coupled with F404 is the only way for IAF to get new fighters in the next few years. Plus 83 Mk1A were ordered, some in the process of being built and parts for many more doubtless being produced.

Well HAL engineers have their work cut out for themselves. They have to figure out a way how to shoehorn the GE-414 and derate it a bit to work with the airframe.

 

[Spitfire IX]

Well HAL engineers have their work cut out for themselves. They have to figure out a way how to shoehorn the GE-414 and derate it a bit to work with the airframe.

What's the point? It won't solve the problem of initial F404 engines being late, holding up F404 production and delivery.

PS F404 is not going away any time soon - TAI will use it in Hurjet, KAI use it in T-50

 

[Blademaster]

What's the point? It won't solve the problem of initial F404 engines being late, holding up F404 production and delivery.

PS F404 is not going away any time soon - TAI will use it in Hurjet, KAI use it in T-50

GE do not have a long term plan for GE-404 only for GE-414. Since mk 2 is getting ge-414 it makes more economical sense to simplify your engine logistic supply chain and get scale of economy.

 

[Nutcracker]

GE do not have a long term plan for GE-404 only for GE-414. Since mk 2 is getting ge-414 it makes more economical sense to simplify your engine logistic supply chain and get scale of economy.

Ge404 is going to get 500+ order. Supply chain won't die for decades.
Hurjet, Korean Trainer, Boeing hawk trainer, LCA lots of jets are dependent on it.

 

[Patriots]

Proud to announce the successful handover of the Air Intake Assembly to HAL’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Division!

This milestone reaffirms LMW's dedication to India's self-reliance in aerospace with precision-engineered solutions.

#LMW #MakeInIndia #AerospaceEngineering



View: https://x.com/lmwatc/status/1854733957864067286?t=IvbTEgxJTFH_VRf9Hc-C8w&s=19

 

[Spitfire IX]

Proud to announce the successful handover of the Air Intake Assembly to HAL’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Division!

This milestone reaffirms LMW's dedication to India's self-reliance in aerospace with precision-engineered solutions.

#LMW #MakeInIndia #AerospaceEngineering



View: https://x.com/lmwatc/status/1854733957864067286?t=IvbTEgxJTFH_VRf9Hc-C8w&s=19

Article should be in Tejas Mk2 thread?

 

[Spitfire IX]

Sweden has just selected the Brazilian C-390 as its new airlifter and Brazil has just indicated it will buy 9 more Swedish Gripen E fighters. Originally Brazil was expected to buy 2 or 3 batches of 36 Gripen E but its air force (FAB) has been looking into buying a cheaper alternative. 9 more Gripen E would bring the number ordered to 49. That could be all that FAB wants to operate.

FAB has 24 AMX subsonic, short range, light attack aircraft due to retire soon (source Wiki). Tejas Mk1A would be a more appropriate replacement than the larger, more sophisticated Gripen E. If HAL could get its marketing, production and support organised, an order might be achievable with a successful outcome (a happy customer).

At some point HAL has to get some experience in supporting overseas fast jet customers and demonstrate it can do so successfully if it wants to sell Tejas Mk2 to customers other than the IAF. Anyone think the FAB opportunity is worth pursuing?