Tejas is not a trainer aircraft. It is a light multi-role combat aircraft that is supposed to be the third line of defence after the Sukhoi 30 and MiG-29s. There is going to be a tandem seater variant for this; but it is only for training Indian pilots to familiarize with Tejas-- I repeat: it is only to familiarize Indian pilots with its systems.i think its a waste buying it because we already have what could be the best trainer in the world, the LCA mk-1 is ideal as a supersonic fighter trainer, we should simply order about 60 or so for IAF's fighter pilot's last leg of training, it can fire Russian weapons, Indian weapons and French weapons, bombs, missiles etc. which is ideal for our pilots. Besides the LCA mk-1 can still perform better than the Mirage. Its a waste going for a new light trainer which will only increase the complexity of operating another type. With large scale production of LCA mk-1 we can also sell it as a supersonic trainer to the rest of the world, it would have no comparison.
I am surprised that how you could comare the two. While Super Tucano has an excellent package as an intermediate trainer for pilots a step away from supersonic jet training, it is a light propeller attack/trainer aircraft whereas Tejas is a full-fledged supersonic multirole combat aircraft meant to tackle enemy states' air forces in a full-blown war.
And I am sure that everyone on this discussion board is aware of what a war fought in Asia is like as compared to South American countries. Asia has 3 nuclear powers out of which one is a fragile and unstable state while the other two despite being economically much better off, have differences with each other. One of these countries has the third largest air force closely followed by the 4th largest air force and also firepower.
Therefore, a conflict between say, Brazil and Nicaragua will be at an extremely low level as compared to a Sino-Indian or Indo-Pakistani conflict. To those who are taken aback by my words, I do not mean to underestimate Brazilian defense equipment and fully recognize their expertise in their field. However, in my opinion Super Tucano does not fit the air force's bill.
We already have our trainer/light attack department's hands full with Kirans, HJT-36s, BAe Hawks. This is the only possible category where Super Tucano fits in the Indian air force and I would say unfortunately for Tucano, our hands are full with an already overwhelming diversity of aircraft.
Our main aim right now is to narrow the types of aircraft to maximum 2 or 3 in all departments as this would reduce our operational and maintenance costs in a long run, Not to diversify more.