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Its not possible to make twin engine LCA without doing massive changes in airframe design. The result will be a different airplane altogether. Such development will take 10 to 15 years (global average for new design) after official sanction from MoD. So we are looking at 2030-35 time frame at earliest. That means around 2040 for effective numbers. What good a 4th gen twin engine bird will be in this time frame. Not to mention this time line overlaps with AMCA. We don't have resources or need to develop two MCAs at the same time.A radical proposition is being evaluated -Mk2-S
The Mk2-S is the dual engine variant of Tejas and is said to have a similar wing design as the SE MK2. Essentially it will have more power to boost.
On top of this IAF has no requirement for such bird. They are all sold on 5th gen bandwagon. According to sources IAF is not even interested in MK2. They want 1a to fill numbers and skip to AMCA for future. So FGFA, AMCA post 2030 and Rafale, MK1a (maybe MII SE??) post 2020.
Kaveri won't be Safranised if we don't give a large follow up order. They are holding back on many fronts. Parikar wanted French to show commitment towards ToT and French wanted commitment on large order before any serious ToT. So any chance of other OEMs for MMRCA is very unlikely and if they do, it will be a beginning from scratch.Limited chance left for all foreign OEMs.. whomosver comes will be the one who will design the internal of Mk2-S Tejas variant and will be twin engine powered (targeted Safranised Kaveri)
If Dassualt grabs it then Mk2-S will be mini Rafale ( @MilSpec).
SE requirement was stupid from beginning considering we have our very own SE ready for mass production.The F16 and Gripen chances are reduced a lot with performance of Tejas....only left is when they will get inducted in large numbers..
Gripen a mixed pickle of an airplane, never had a real chance because they simply can't provide in-depth ToT that we require.
There are many reports of Trump dragging his feet on ToT but still I won't rule out MII F16 simply because LM has too much clout in DoD and with our current leadership being pro west this deal still has some chances of going through.