97 MK1A + 24 FOC which are to be upgraded to MK1A standard
LCA Tejas Mk1 & Mk1A - News and discussions
- Thread starter Ashwin
- Start date
-
- Tags
- indian defence forum
This is Just One More Proof that the " Small " MK1 and MK1A have Limitations
MK 2 is the Definitive Multi Role Medium Weight Fighter that will be able to fulfill all desires of DRDO and IAF
NOW if we only we had designed the LCA around
AL 31 Like the Chinese J 10
The story would have been different altogether
We are assembling AL 31 since 2002
Yes, but then you forget that LCA was conceived as a point defence interceptor to replace the MiG-21, to be stationed at the frontline airbases and use their shelters. That put a hard cap on just how big the LCA could be. Designing the LCA around something like the AL-31FP (or similarly sized powerplant) doesn't meet the stated design goal. The fact that the LCA has evolved into what it is today, is a classic case of requirements creep and point defence interception role being out of fashion. Plus, we're getting the bigger Tejas Mk2 which basically addresses all the shortcomings of Mk1/Mk1A (except RF stealth).
What is equally disturbing is that GE 414 was offered to India in 2002 when Vajpayee visited US
And by 2010 , MK 2 had been approved by DRDO and IAF And in October 2010 ,GE 414 was announced as the powerplant for MK 2
But We were stuck in LSP series aircraft of MK1
In 2010 LCA ,had the first flight with a RADAR ie LSP 3
What I mean to say is that we were progressing so slowly with MK1 and MK2 and GE 414 had been approved
So why didn't we just stop MK1 and Start MK2 directly in 2010
At least by now ie 2026 ,MK2 would be fully operational
But this Obsession with MK 1and then MK1A has wasted many many years
