#Tejas MK1A Flying Test Bed first flight was successfully conducted on 20th May, 2022: #HAL #IADN pic.twitter.com/kb9kIs9khu
— News IADN (@NewsIADN) August 1, 2022
#Tejas MK1A Flying Test Bed first flight was successfully conducted on 20th May, 2022: #HAL #IADN pic.twitter.com/kb9kIs9khu
— News IADN (@NewsIADN) August 1, 2022
Absolute gigachad HAL. Tested it before due date and didn't make any sound about it instead carried on with their work while getting abused by eggspert right wingers endlessly for no logical reasons. Absolute level of professionalism and commitment towards the nation at display#Tejas MK1A Flying Test Bed first flight was successfully conducted on 20th May, 2022: #HAL #IADN pic.twitter.com/kb9kIs9khu
— News IADN (@NewsIADN) August 1, 2022
One reason I can think of is economics. I have always said that a pvt company will want to look after its own first. And that's why splitting the 114 MMRCA is not right. You need a minimum order of 100 airframes because you got to give out contracts. And no one is signing up your contracts for just 5 year of work.
It seems to me the pvt sector involved is facing the same issue.
It's better to give an additional order of 20-30 airframes so that the number of airframes per year increase, because the pvt supplied will want a long contract.
For LCA, the numbers are already good. Since the program itself will continue with Mk2, it's unnecessary to make any more than 73.
Is there any guarantee the same vendors will be awarded Mk2 contracts?
Another thing how sure are we Mk2 will come online in time?
When we make > 20 mk1A / year, mk2 has to be ready .
What I am still to agree with 2 years delay in price negotiations between MoD & HAL.
Both government entities. No money will go out of GoI hands .. But 2 years lost..
That ll be 2 squads early in IAF hands.. and probably retirement of Mig21 s at appropriate time.
I would just like to point out that BCCI doesn't pay GST, while HAL first pays import duty on engines, helmets, ejection seats of Tejas and then GST on the sale to IAF.To be fair, the LCA delay was extremely disastrous for the IAF. The govt should have compensated with an emergency purchase of 2 M2000 squadrons after the MKI deal was done, the French had proven their reliability by then.
I would just like to point out that BCCI doesn't pay GST, while HAL first pays import duty on engines, helmets, ejection seats of Tejas and then GST on the sale to IAF.
To me it is unfair.
If tax is such a big issue, maybe get BCCI in the regime too. Put 28% on them.
Columbian Airforce will be retiring it's T/A-37 jet trainer/light attack aircraft and wants to buy around 20 aircrafts (mix of trainers and fighters)
Further their Life fleet will also be retiring. So anyone who wins, will likely get additional orders in future.
But financial conditions are not good and Columbians will need a soft loan to purchase any system. So that will be an important criteria.
South Korean FA/TA-50 is the front runner. Italian M346 is also there , but it's combat capabilities are limited. These two options have been recognised by Columbian officials themselves. They also discarded an option for 2nd hand Israeli F16s.
Other options are F16 from USA, Gripen from Sweden, Eurofighter Tranche 1 of Spain and probably Tejas Mk1A.
Let's see.
Open source HAL documents confirm that the two airframes allocated as 'prototypes' of the LCA MK1A are the:
— NeutronX (@Archit_Ch) August 30, 2022
•SP-25 (LA-5021)
•LSP-08 (KH-2018)
📷:LSP-08 during A2A refueling trials pic.twitter.com/Qtk6syXeoK
We currently have 18 twin seaters on order. Their delivery schedules will pretty much decide the Mk1A delivery schedule.![]()
According to this report, the 2nd production line is set up, first 3 mk1a delivery by 2024 and 16 every year thereafter.
Total Mk2 project allocation 9K crore till date.
EXCLUSIVE: Indigenous UTTAM AESA Radar Ready, Doubts Loom Over Initial Order Size https://t.co/BXj2LwhmRN
— Delhi Defence Review (@delhidefence) September 4, 2022
This is from conference call of HAL with investors on August 29 and released today in BSE. MK1A first flight started and first delivery in Feb 2024. @Brahamvakya @sakthivel_cit93 pic.twitter.com/qBUVA1Gnyv
— Prachanda (@lawzfinance) September 5, 2022