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My guesses based on historic government-owned organisation performance: Rollout 2025/2026 FF 2026/2027 Testing completed 2029/2030 Production start 2030/2031 First delivery 3033/3034 ...assuming no major delays in systems development, production and delivery along the lines of Mk1A (ELTA 2052...

I agree. 110kN would be enough, wouldn't it? I wonder how much a certified foreign/Indian designed 110kN engine would cost to build in India. Worth thinking about but F-16 is in a different league to Gripen C. Export sales of light fighters JF-17/Gripen C/FA-50 number <100, I think. So demand...

The other point about Mk2 is that if India wants to become an exporter of fighters it has to get on with developing and building fighter aircraft. Mk2 fits the bill - many countries update their F-16 aircraft because they cannot afford to step up to F-35, Rafale, Typhoon and there is no low cost...

Is the deal for 21 x MiG-29 to be signed during the czar's visit?

The mind boggles at the power of vested interests in India. It seems that 'Team India' does not exist. Too many of the wrong people at all levels and nothing is done to change things. Heck, I'm more of an Indian nationalist than people in positions of influence in India - at least I argue for...

It is not a question of how many aircraft you produce. It is about producing the number planned in the time planned at the quality planned at the cost planned. And when you talk of Dassault, I think they had a production capacity of perhaps 20 Rafale a year but when the French government wanted...

So HAL has mastered the art of aircraft production and has nothing to learn from anyone else?

Of course SAAB will be ahead in some areas technologically. The main area in which SAAB could help is in production knowhow IMO. India is pretty useless at producing fighter aircraft. I think that SAAB, Dassault, Boeing, LM, BAE know how to organise production far more effectively. If India...

OK, so no more Mk1A are wanted by IAF. I still think that FAL capacity should increase and if Malaysia does order Mk1A it seems to me it would be insane not to increase production capacity. India is in a state of armed conflict on and off with 2 neighbouring countries and (while no expert) I...

OK, let's say 72 more Rafale + 83 Mk1A will be coming. I suggest adding another FAL raising capacity to 24 fighters a year from 2025/2026. If Mk1A gets any export orders, they can be handled without delaying IAF deliveries. If no exports are forthcoming, and it is too early to start Mk2...

What is the timeline? - time to formulate requirement - time to invite offers - time for OEM's to respond to offers - time to evaluate offers and select winning bid 2 years? - time between selecting winner and giving go ahead - time to make assembly line - time to build first aircraft - time to...

Could have done that 20 years ago but it wasn't done. Could have done that 10 years ago but it wasn't done. Could do that now but it isn't done. Late. late and late yet again. Never mind, other countries are not so hopeless at running their defence MIC. India can always buy fighters for IAF from...

That would make sense (if Rafale deliveries would not come too late now).

I would find it greatly preferable for 114 Mk2 to be ordered but the IAF needs fighters now. India's project management track record with Tejas and Kaveri has been abysmal. Even if there was a big shake up in 'the system' starting right now, it is too late to provide fighters to IAF quickly...

Arrogance to think that, I have to say. Still, if you think that there is nothing SAAB has to offer India, you had better compare how India and SAAB have performed in developing and producing light combat aircraft.

I see no MRFA thread so I'll post about it here since I guess it will affect Mk2 more than Mk1 or AMCA. It appears that SAAB has put in a preemptive bid for MRFA involving helping on the Mk2 and AMCA programmes. Would it be a good idea to accept this offer? I think it might. India has failed...

From the article in businessworld.in: "So you need to have at least four projects. That is, improved version of LCA, with better agility and better maneuverability, higher road carrying capacity and better range than the LCA. That’s Mark 2. After that, you need to develop one for the navy. Then...

When is a large production order likely to be placed? The later that is likely to be, the more IAF can argue that 114 foreign fighters are needed. I read on this forum or elsewhere that IAF does not want more Mk1A to make up its fighter shortfall. If 114 foreign fighters are ordered to do...

That is what I thought. Indian radome, as well.

I am surprised it is only 70%. F414 should cost <$10 million. UTTAM will replace ELTA radar. Cobham parts will be replaced by indigenous. Apart from the engine, where is the high cost foreign content?