But are they gonna manage all these things for the AMCA, wouldn't this mean going the same path of DELAY that LCA faced for IAF's demands for all Indigenous AESA radar, EW suit, Kaveri.
I highly doubt if the demands stays this way, then we'll surely gonna see this AMCA no earlier than 2025!!!!!
Yes Chex AMCA's FOC is not expected before 2025 and this figure as per ADA. On others let me deal point to point.
AESA: An all Indian AESA is possible even by 2017. We should not forget that except signal processor and panal everything else in LCA's MMR is Indian. And it is only matter of time when DRDO develops T/R module(for X band) and signal processor to convert the existing LCA MMR into fully indigenous AESA MMR. Anyway by 2013-14 DRDO would have completed its AEW&C project and this will provide ample confidence and sufficient know how especially in radar modes.
EW : Mayawai EW suit is a comprehensive suite and is fully indigenous minus Israeli jammar. Like said earlier, it is only matter of time when DRDO develops jammer and seven to ten years is ample time.
Datalinks : BEL's Link II is already part of P-8I networking solutions and once inducted they will be integrated with Navy's C4I network. Which means LINK II is state of the art technology and C4I capable. For AMCA they only needs to improve it.
Kaveri: I don't expect fully indigenous K-XX by 2017 or even by 2020. Single crystal blade and nickel based light alloys are not easy stuff to master. So, i expect only JV Kaveri making into AMCA Block-1.
BTW DRDO is continuously working and they have managed some success. Who know what will be status after five years? Must mention that DRDO material labs have very good track record and in past they have managed to develop special steel for IAC when nobody expected anything other than Russian made on IAC. God willing by 2025 we may have fully indigenous Kaveri engine.