Tejas Mk2 (Medium Weight Fighter) - News and discussions

Just like GaN Uttam variant was initially planned for AMCA, but with time as our GaN tech matured, we decided to put GaN Uttam variants for MK2 & MKI UPG. Same thing will happen in case of FSS radome. While initial prototypes or even initial batches may have Quartz radome, the later batches will most definitely have FSS radome. MKI UPG. shall also get one in due time.

This is how technology percolates from high-end to low-end. It has always been the case.
Is this news contemporary ? I ask for if the Mk-2 is in the process of being fabricated for tests & validation , how come we're still realising tech going into it ?

Secondly for all those advocating MRFA or Rafales specifically which as we all know now isn't going to materialize before a decade meaning 2034-35 , in what way will the Mk-2 & especially the AMCA Mk-1 not be the equivalent of the Rafales or perhaps the Eurofighter should we choose them ( & add to our logistical & other headaches) ?

If the argument is about training tactics maintenance etc the Mk-2 is due to be inducted by 2030-31 which leaves us a full 4-5 years before the proposed induction of the Rafales going by the argument the IAF needs at least 5 years to get accustomed to a new FA & in case things don't go to plan which they very well can given this is India & the FA selected thru MRFA is the Eurofighter , then we're back to square one & the fun starts .
 
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Is this news contemporary ? I ask for if the Mk-2 is in the process of being fabricated for tests & validation , how come we're still realising tech going into it ?
We could still test the initial prototypes with an imported Radome or maybe our desi Quartz Radome should be ready by then.
Secondly for all those advocating MRFA or Rafales specifically which as we all know now isn't going to materialize before a decade meaning 2034-35 , in what way will the Mk-2 & especially the AMCA Mk-1 not be the equivalent of the Rafales or perhaps the Eurofighter should we choose them ( & add to our logistical & other headaches) ?
2034-35 means Rafale F5 for MRFA. It'll be more advance than MK2. AMCA by then would still be WIP, so can't be compared with Rafale F5.
If the argument is about training tactics maintenance etc the Mk-2 is due to be inducted by 2030-31 which leaves us a full 4-5 years before the proposed induction of the Rafales going by the argument the IAF needs at least 5 years to get accustomed to a new FA & in case things don't go to plan which they very well can given this is India & the FA selected thru MRFA is the Eurofighter , then we're back to square one & the fun starts .
For Air Superiority, MKI UPG. will be superior to all our jets sans AMCA MK2. We need jets that can enter enemy territory, playing hide and seek and destroy all key targets. No other foreign jets meet our demand except Rafale F5 and F-35 Block 4/+.

F-16/21, F-15EX, Typhoon etc. are just place holders, IMHO.
 
Is this news contemporary ? I ask for if the Mk-2 is in the process of being fabricated for tests & validation , how come we're still realising tech going into it ?

Secondly for all those advocating MRFA or Rafales specifically which as we all know now isn't going to materialize before a decade meaning 2034-35 , in what way will the Mk-2 & especially the AMCA Mk-1 not be the equivalent of the Rafales or perhaps the Eurofighter should we choose them ( & add to our logistical & other headaches) ?

If the argument is about training tactics maintenance etc the Mk-2 is due to be inducted by 2030-31 which leaves us a full 4-5 years before the proposed induction of the Rafales going by the argument the IAF needs at least 5 years to get accustomed to a new FA & in case things don't go to plan which they very well can given this is India & the FA selected thru MRFA is the Eurofighter , then we're back to square one & the fun starts .

After seeing how many ways Mk1 & Mk1A variant getting delayed, Mk2 will also face obstacles..

Already Macron is offering New 110kn JV engine to Mk2, around 2033.. Time frame.
I think they are predicting things to get delayed that far.

97 Mk1A additional orders could be due to this, rather than being proactive to arrest fall of squadrons.

Another indicator is recent tests at Oneria for the Mk2 Canard & air intake.
 
We could still test the initial prototypes with an imported Radome or maybe our desi Quartz Radome should be ready by then.

Ok.
2034-35 means Rafale F5 for MRFA. It'll be more advance than MK2. AMCA by then would still be WIP, so can't be compared with Rafale F5.

You'd have to be more specific as to how will a Rafale F5 be more sophisticated than a Mk-2 & more importantly than a AMCA Mk-1 ? Besides on a scale of 1-10 how would you grade the performance of a Rafale F5 vis a vis an Mk-2 or an AMCA Mk-1 for if the difference isn't much which I suspect should be the case it STILL doesn't strengthen the case for a Rafale in the mid 30s.

For Air Superiority, MKI UPG. will be superior to all our jets sans AMCA MK2. We need jets that can enter enemy territory, playing hide and seek and destroy all key targets. No other foreign jets meet our demand except Rafale F5 and F-35 Block 4/+.
I believe you're describing the present situation . The future will see ISR role taken over by satellites & much more sophisticated ground & air based ISR systems plus SAMs . Besides I'd await your answer for why's the Rafale F5 more potent than what we're going to feature in the 2030s.

F-16/21, F-15EX, Typhoon etc. are just place holders, IMHO.
 
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After seeing how many ways Mk1 & Mk1A variant getting delayed, Mk2 will also face obstacles..
Potentially any program can be delayed. The objective is always to minimise the risks. Hence the F-414 agreement.
Already Macron is offering New 110kn JV engine to Mk2, around 2033.. Time frame.
I think they are predicting things to get delayed that far.
We haven't yet signed up with SAFRAN for JV to develop a TF for the AMCA Mk-2 . Where on earth do you think the analogue for the F-414 is going to come from within that timeframe ? Ignore that bit of news as sensationalism.

97 Mk1A additional orders could be due to this, rather than being proactive to arrest fall of squadrons.
Could be due a whole host of factors including the IAF reposing more confidence in the Tejas platform . Anyway there was always speculation in the commentariat we'd go in for an additional tranche of the Mk-1a's especially among the BRF crowd on Twitter

Another indicator is recent tests at Oneria for the Mk2 Canard & air intake.
?
 
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Ok.


You'd have to be more specific as to how will a Rafale F5 be more sophisticated than a Mk-2 & more importantly than a AMCA Mk-1 ? Besides on a scale of 1-10 how would you grade the performance of a Rafale F5 vis a vis an Mk-2 or an AMCA Mk-1 for if the difference isn't much which I suspect should be the case it STILL doesn't strengthen the case for a Rafale in the mid 30s.
Rafale F5 is planned with 360° radar coverage and much more. Don't think MK2 will have that, though not too sure about AMCA MK1. Though Rafale F5 in 2035 should be more mature than it is absolutely clear.

Rafale F5 and F-35 Block 4 are my two picks for MRFA 3.0.
I believe you're describing the present situation . The future will see ISR role taken over by satellites & much more sophisticated ground & air based ISR systems plus SAMs . Besides I'd await your answer for why's the Rafale F5 more potent than what we're going to feature in the 2030s.
Rafale F5 is also planned to work with Automomous drones, so that'll be part of the fray.
 
Rafale F5 is planned with 360° radar coverage and much more. Don't think MK2 will have that, though not too sure about AMCA MK1. Though Rafale F5 in 2035 should be more mature than it is absolutely clear.

I always thought AMCA Mk-1 was analogous to Rafale . Besides both are TE. Hence that makes the comparison more valid.

You can be sure DRDO / ADA & IAF would be developing something akin to SPECTRA for the AMCA Mk-1 & quite possibly something more advanced on the lines of the avionics for F-35 Block 4 to go into the Mk-2 but before that into the Mk-1 as well .

Whether it happens or not is a different issue though I'm confident of the former , not so much about the latter. Having said that if we get to within the same bandwidth of the F-35 Block 4 with the AMCA Mk-2 it'd be a huge achievement provided we do so by the end of next decade

Incidentally , this has been the IAF's MO . There's a reason why we chose the Delta configuration for the Tejas . It's based on a careful study of the Dassault Mirage 2000 apart from consultancy by the former in the early years.

So , old habits die hard & "inspirations" are normally sought from familiarity with items , people , events , movies , music , etc . Much like RST & OST ...ok let's not go there . It's
a sore topic.

Rafale F5 and F-35 Block 4 are my two picks for MRFA 3.0.


Rafale F5 is also planned to work with Automomous drones, so that'll be part of the fray.
What're the chances the IUSAV will be coupled with the AMCA Mk-1 ?
 
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I always thought AMCA Mk-1 was analogous to Rafale . Besides both are TE. Hence that makes the comparison more valid.
AMCA will have far better passive stealth than Rafale. Though Rafale F5 still may enjoy electronic superiority over it.
You can be sure DRDO / ADA & IAF would be developing something akin to SPECTRA for the AMCA Mk-1 & quite possibly something more advanced on the lines of the avionics for F-35 Block 4 to go into the Mk-2 but before that into the Mk-1 as well .
Let's hope so. But it's better for us to wait for some new info regarding the same to filter out before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion.
Whether it happens or not is a different issue though I'm confident of the former , not so much about the latter. Having said that if we get to within the same bandwidth of the F-35 Block 4 with the AMCA Mk-2 it'd be a huge achievement provided we do so by the end of next decade
Agreed.
Incidentally , this has been the IAF's MO . There's a reason why we chose the Delta configuration for the Tejas . It's based on a careful study of the Dassault Mirage 2000 apart from consultancy by the former in the early years.
Yes.
So , old habits die hard & "inspirations" are normally sought from familiarity with items , people , events , movies , music , etc . Much like RST & OST ...ok let's not go there . It's
a sore topic.
🤣🤣
What're the chances the IUSAV will be coupled with the AMCA Mk-1 ?
High.
So MMRCA 2 is bount to doomed?
Both Rafale F5 and F-35 Block 4 are my picks. IAF may choose some other plane. However, if our plan to have a technological superior plane than MKI UPG., MK2 et al than these two are going to be a cut above the rest.
 
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AMCA will have far better passive stealth than Rafale. Though Rafale F5 still may enjoy electronic superiority over it.
Well then that doesn't cut it . Hopefully the AMCA Mk-1 is in the same bandwidth capabilities wise as the Rafales which was precisely my point all along.

If the AMCA Mk-1 is in the same bandwidth as the Rafale F5 why're we even going in for the latter ?
 
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Well then that doesn't cut it . Hopefully the AMCA Mk-1 is in the same bandwidth capabilities wise as the Rafales which was precisely my point all along.

If the AMCA Mk-1 is in the same bandwidth as the Rafale F5 why're we even going in for the latter ?
MRFA was all about a high-capability Western fighter parallel to our MKI fleet. The basic difference between Rafale F5/F-35 Block 4/Whatever we choose is going to be tech maturity.

AMCA won't be fully ready for war before 2037-38 by the earliest. While MRFA would be a mature platform upon which we can fully bank-on during any hostility.

Anyways, with re-start of this tender all bets are again off. So let's wait and watch for now before reaching any definitive conclusion, IMO.
 
Structural design and analysis of the radome composite structure and associated parts of LCA AF Mk 2 AESA radar has been completed, successfully with CDR. Static strength testing of LCA AF Mk 2 quartz radome is in progress. CSIR-NAL hass built a rig to test the structural strength of the LCA Mk-2's ceramic radome:
View attachment 37576
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things are moving at snail's pace.
 
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Slowly but surely

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with re-start of this tender all bets are again off. So let's wait and watch for now before reaching any definitive conclusion, IMO.
It's being done for political reasons. RaGa's corruption allegations regarding the 2012 Rafale purchase havr clearly spooked the GoI. Process has taken precedence over practicality.

If you thought the IAF was any different you'd be disappointed. One ACM was so proud of the IAFs MMRCA evaluation process that he wanted to get it patented.

Now, they get to frame another fabulous RFI/RfP and spend years pushing files rather than process a follow-on purchase.

I'm skeptical about MRFA ever getting inducted if the GoI insists on 100% ToT.

You only have look at the P-75I saga to know that no FOEM will hand over their hard-won IP to you.