The real problem with ORCA is it’s timeline which is roughly around the same time as AMCA(2030-32)
thus IAF’s full attention will be on AMCA & rather than paying for airforce specific enhancements to make TEDBF into ORCA, they can just order more AMCA (mk1/mk1a) unit cost wouldn’t be that much different as both are twin engine just slighter more maintenance cost as AMCA would be a true stealth!
If the armed forces & R&D bodies have put this timeline & if they say they can manage & deliver then let's monitor progress on yearly basis. 10 years is a huge time for prototyping.
Conceptual research always goes on about multiple options or selecting most feasible option.
Hence i'm sure that ORCA is definitely being studied at least on CAD, CFD & wind tunnels.
And compared to a new design it is easier to modify only small parts like gear & wing b/w AF & Navy especially when Navy is 1st priority then AF.
IDK how much research & FCS data about canards have been shared to us by Russians & French but it seems looking at great success of Rafale, we are trying to position TEDBF into a delta-canard rather than a traditional tandem bi-plane or tri-plane. Hence as the current TEDBF is not something exotic, it shouldn't be difficult to simultaneously produce AF-ORCA variant.
if only ORCA could have happened 2026-27 IAF would have grabbed it with both hands & no more MRFA drama would have been there…
Yes obviously, but after Marut we became pure importers, LCA is 2 decades late for IOC, DoD scams with BoFors, Scorpene, Rafale, etc. Otherwise at least MK1 versions of TEDBF, ORCA, AMCA & N-AMCA all would be flying today already.
But few more years of delay is ok if the DoD guys can deliver in their stated timeline & funding doesn't stop.
The TEDBF will be way more advanced than any in the list even more than rafale…it is highly souped up with 5th gen tech so it will be a -5th gen fighter so expect way more operating costs than even f15.
> Rafale & TEDBF are 4.5 or 4++, some call it 4.75 (i wonder if there is a scale of 4.1 to 4.9
). Lockheed Martin showed concept of laser pod on F-16 but that doesn't make F-16 as 6th or even 5.5 gen jet.
> We should also not compare CAPEX & OPEX straight with USA, EU, etc bcoz the purchasing value of currencies, functioning of economies are different. 1US$=70 INR as per ForEx at airport immigration counter but on the streets the purchasing powers of INR & USD are not exactl 1:70 ratio.
> Why comparing TEDBF to F-15?
AMCA will never have that much tech/stealth compared to f22 or f35 especially the mk1 version so expect it’s costs to be around f35 that too cos of being twin engine fighter!
so IAF if they have brains will purchase more AMCA mk1 in vol as it will reduce per unit cost and will not require new infrastructure and maintenance facilities!!(cost effective)
&
about getting squadrons strength up IAF has tejas mk2 option in their arsenal, way cheaper to produce single engine easier & cost effective to maintain just like f16 was in its time…most importantly will go into production around 2026-27
I too personally love the design and everything about TEDBF but we need to be realistic!
> yes, AMCA MK1 won't/shouldn't be as costly as F-22/35 bcoz F-22 is not exported even to closest allies, i wonder what super secret things it is still hiding & recently there is 11 Billion US$ MLU approved for F-22.
> Till 1st sqaud of AMCA hits, the Tejas MK1/1A & MWF should remain as LSP (Limited Series Production).
> MWF's MK2 version needs to evolve further into something like Sukhoi Checkmate.
> We should compare future with something good of current/next gen like i showed above, not previous gen like F-15/16/18 otherwise within our budget & capability envelope also our goal setting, quality standards, performance expectations, justifications, talent utilization, etc might hamper inferiorly.
Honestly I don't see much hope for ORCA to be fair because it's been a long time and I have hardly heard any update with regards to this.
ORCA updates are dependant on TEFBF updates.
Indian Airforce is planning to Induct Tejas Mk1a, Tejas Mk2, GHATAK UAV, AMCA(Mk1& MK2) I don't think so that they will want to add another different type of Aircraft to their Inventory. If ORCA is basically a airforce Variant of TEDBF in which things like the Arrestor hook, and some other stuff is removed and Modifications are done so as for it to be fit to be used by the Indian airforce than it will be a good thing logistically for Indian Airforce in some way to the ORCA because ORCA and TEDBF have similar airframe and Some similar parts. But frankly speaking I don't think so that Indian Airforce is interested in buying ORCA. Let's see what the Future holds, maybe Indian Airforce might change their mind? And go for ORCA along with Tejas mk2, AMCA etc or they will drop it and just stick to their current plan.
All these things can become export potential also. If they don't & if the forces don't wan't them either then they can be cancelled. But the prototypes can give us lots of new knowledge & confidence to evolve them or design something new.
We should see global advancements, what our adversaries can come up in how much time, how much budget we can allocate & finally can we match our adversaries or be better to have a victory overall or at least a stalemate.
www.defencexp.com
MK3/4 (F/A-XX concept just for analogy, but dreams can come true
)
