Brazil Evaluates India's Tejas Mk1A against Pakistan's JF-17 Block III for Crucial Contract to Replace Ageing F-5 Jets

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is actively assessing potential replacements for its long-serving Northrop F-5FM Tiger II jets, marking a significant step in its ongoing fleet modernization program.

Facing the need to retire these decades-old aircraft, Brazil is considering distinct proposals from India and Pakistan, pitting the Indian-made Tejas Mk1A against the Pakistani-Chinese jointly developed JF-17 Block III.

The FAB's modernisation drive aims to enhance its capabilities to meet contemporary defence and security challenges, particularly across Brazil's vast territory, including the demanding Amazon region.

While the advanced Saab F-39 Gripen NG now serves as Brazil's primary fighter, the air force requires a more cost-effective, lightweight aircraft to complement the Gripen fleet.

This new aircraft would undertake essential roles such as air policing, ground attack operations, and other secondary combat duties, replacing the capabilities of the outgoing F-5s.

Approximately 40 F-5FM Tiger II jets remain in service but are approaching the end of their operational lifespan and are scheduled for retirement in the coming years.

These third-generation fighters, operational since the 1970s, lack the modern avionics, sensors, and versatility needed for current aerial warfare scenarios. This requirement has drawn international interest, leading to formal offers from both Pakistan and India.

Pakistan formally presented its JF-17 Block III proposal in early April 2025, offering detailed information on the aircraft's capabilities. Developed collaboratively by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and China's Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), the JF-17 has been a key asset for the Pakistan Air Force since 2007.

The latest Block III variant, which became operational in 2024, incorporates significant upgrades, including an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, advanced flight control systems, an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, and a Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD).

India has countered with its Tejas Mk1A, a 4.5-generation fighter developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The Tejas is noted for its General Electric F404 engine, which provides a high thrust-to-weight ratio, potentially exceeding that of the JF-17.

It features a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, a combat range cited at 500 km with external fuel tanks, and a weapon payload capacity of 5,300 kg. The extensive use of composite materials in its construction contributes to a lower radar cross-section compared to the JF-17.

The estimated unit cost for the Tejas Mk1A is approximately $37.8 million.

Adding another dimension to the procurement process, the chief of the Brazilian Air Force has reportedly proposed a potential barter arrangement with India. This deal could involve Brazil supplying its Embraer C-390M military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force in exchange for Tejas Mk1A jets.

While the Tejas Mk1A has faced challenges securing international orders previously, its profile has been boosted by growing confidence within the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF has placed substantial orders for 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft and has integrated the type into operational deployments and international exercises.

The decision facing Brazil involves a complex evaluation of not only the technical performance and cost-effectiveness of the Tejas Mk1A and JF-17 Block III but also considerations related to strategic alignments, potential industrial partnerships, and the viability of the proposed barter deal with India. The outcome will significantly shape the future composition of Brazil's air defence capabilities.

 

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[Mc Addy]

F5 is a toothless tiger shark of a jet so never heard it did anything great so what capabilities is a question mark that it got as it's 1960s era vintage.

 

[sanket]

Wow, Embraer barter deal would be ideal and mutually beneficial for both countries. Embraer C-390M military transport aircraft with Make in India, eco-system, and customized variant will further sweeten the win-win deal against Tejas MK1A.

 

[swatkats_razor]

At this time, I am forced to say "Brazil dono ke maje le raha hai" (Brazil is playing both sides for fun).

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

Tejas has no chance because it's not a fully indigenous fighter jet. Engine from the US. Weapons from Israel, etc. No country will buy this type of jets. Accept the reality. India should have developed its own jet engine at any cost, but we never tried it properly. It's a sad reality.

 

[Abs29]

Tejas has no chance because it's not a fully indigenous fighter jet. Engine from the US. Weapons from Israel, etc. No country will buy this type of jets. Accept the reality. India should have developed its own jet engine at any cost, but we never tried it properly. It's a sad reality.

Yes! agreed, they should have developed the engine. Except there is a world of a difference between should have and have. Having a need to develop something, does not automatically translate to actually being able to develop successfully. Especially so if u are a defense PSU as atrophied as GTRE. Even after the Kaveri was deprioritized GTRE was free to continue their internal research on it and achieve a breakthrough, yet even after 4 decades they failed to produce anything of consequence.

On another note, I too dont seee the deal materializing. For they already have invested in acquiring considerable tech transfer for Swedish JAS-39 GripenE and will probably standardize on the same. Not every country is India nor is every Airforce IAF, that prefers to have a zoo of several different disparate platforms to complicate logistics and material management. They will probably go for additional orders for GripenE and neither LCA nor the JF-17 Thunder has any realistic chance of securing the contract.

 

[Asish Kumar]

At this time, I am forced to say "Brazil dono ke maje le raha hai" (Brazil is playing both sides for fun).

Nope, if they have issued a tender, of course both Pakistan and India are free to push their fighter jet platforms. It's up to Brazil to decide.

 

[Asish Kumar]

Tejas has no chance because it's not a fully indigenous fighter jet. Engine from the US. Weapons from Israel, etc. No country will buy this type of jets. Accept the reality. India should have developed its own jet engine at any cost, but we never tried it properly. It's a sad reality.

JF-17,
engine Russian,
weapons Chinese.
?

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Barter deal would have been good. But just 40 Mk1A's may be a small deal. As per IAF's RFI, our requirement for Medium Transport Aircrafts is between 40-80 aircrafts. C-390 may be 3 times costlier than Tejas Mk1A. For a barter deal, Brazil will have to order many more Tejas Mk1A's and a lot of other military equipment as well.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

We should accept the truth, HAL can't give Tejas Mk1A to the Indian Air Force at the correct time, then how other countries' air forces will trust us? Pakistan JF-17 having many issues like engine (India is already using the same engine but having many problems) is not trustworthy, then they can import everything from China and deliver in proper time.

 

[Sridhar]

Brazil will consider Tejas if India opts for its aircraft. Otherwise, JF-17 will be a cheaper option for Brazil.

 

[GMR]

Again having wet dreams... unless a customer has faith and confidence in timely delivery with quality, they will not buy. We know what the condition is with our own order. So wake up, have a Nescafe, and go to work. We are already in mid-April, and where is the 1st Mk1A, or where are the trainers?

 

[Leo red]

Don't allow Pakistan to take this deal. Use all political means for this. At least learn from US. If they buy they will be closer to Pakistan. Force them to buy our product, give them concession. Bring US or Russian on table. If we allow Pakistan it will enter in Latin America.

 

[Ronit@9977]

Tejas Mk1A is a capable fighter, but it's not in its full swing production. Nor has the IAF got any of these fighters yet. So, can't say that it has chances of export to Brazil.

But one thing is sure, Brazil's economic condition is good and they will never acquire a 3rd gen junk fighter.

 

[Sanjay P]

Not possible please. India can't compte unreliable ge engine supply. And first we need our need to be fulfilled.

 

[Sandeep]

India should definitely try and make a deal as the Tejas jet is much more superior than the junk fighter. The only problem is that HAL needs to become more reliable in manufacturing the jets to a higher quality and on time without long delays. At the same time we need to increase the indigenous content rate with the equipment and technology to reduce the price even further.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Tejas has no chance because it's not a fully indigenous fighter jet. Engine from the US. Weapons from Israel, etc. No country will buy this type of jets. Accept the reality. India should have developed its own jet engine at any cost, but we never tried it properly. It's a sad reality.

HAL should fit Kaveri engines in Mk1A.

 

[Koorma]

Go for the trade with C390M. Once the Tejas is active in another AirForce, more orders will come.

 

[P10]

MoD should offer 40 Tejas MK1A for 25 C390 and ask them to manufacture another 50 C390 in India with ToT.

 

[siva]

How can India compete without an engine? Surely Brazil will select JF-17.

 

[Vineet Kumar]

I appreciate HAL for pitching Tejas against others because this is the best way of getting global benchmark which a company's product should achieve to compete globally. If they will sit in offices with babu log, they will keep claiming in papers that our Maruti is better than Mercedes. A competition evaluates the product from all parameters and tells us where we are lacking, and there are no boundaries of improvement to be the best.

 

[Dredd]

Nope, if they have issued a tender, of course both Pakistan and India are free to push their fighter jet platforms. It's up to Brazil to decide.

What other jets are in contention? If there is SK FA-50, then it will have a higher chance. India should consider a barter-deal and create a joint company which can roll out C-390 from the Indian plant and Tejas Mk-1A from the Brazilian plant.

 

[AK S]

Yes! agreed, they should have developed the engine. Except there is a world of a difference between should have and have. Having a need to develop something, does not automatically translate to actually being able to develop successfully. Especially so if u are a defense PSU as atrophied as GTRE. Even after the Kaveri was deprioritized GTRE was free to continue their internal research on it and achieve a breakthrough, yet even after 4 decades they failed to produce anything of consequence.

On another note, I too dont seee the deal materializing. For they already have invested in acquiring considerable tech transfer for Swedish JAS-39 GripenE and will probably standardize on the same. Not every country is India nor is every Airforce IAF, that prefers to have a zoo of several different disparate platforms to complicate logistics and material management. They will probably go for additional orders for GripenE and neither LCA nor the JF-17 Thunder has any realistic chance of securing the contract.

Engine R&D is very expensive and cant be continued without serious fund committment and Govt mandate. It would need serious national will and treasure. Till that time we all can discuss and pass opinions.

 

[Sam]

We can troll Pak as much as possible, but they were able to co-develop a fighter jet from scratch, contributed and gathered knowledge while we were deeply shoved down in our ego. JF-17 Block 3 is proof that that country can do things, and we better move ahead apart from trolling. We don't even have a decent fighter jet; hardly Tejas will fulfill anything, as I don't know why on what ground it's competing with JF-17 B3. Tejas just started flying; we can't even fulfill our numbers. How shamelessly we are putting it upfront for export. Of course, people will reject it, and that rejection will be a shame for us against the Pakistani developed fighter jet, and I think our defence lover will love it if someone shames us.

First build, let it fly, make it perfect as per its capability, then you can think of export.

 

[Abs29]

Engine R&D is very expensive and cant be continued without serious fund committment and Govt mandate. It would need serious national will and treasure. Till that time we all can discuss and pass opinions.

That is true. But then the question remains what made those in charge of the DRDO and the program within MoD reporting line think it could be realistically developed with paltry resource allocations. That fact was always true. Yes initially allocation was low to get things moving, but all they had to do was to satisfactorily meet project development milestones to get the next tranche of funding. Which mind u for a PSU is not that difficult. Afterall even our more successful ballistic missile programs were also delayed but they still secured the next tranche of funding by meeting development milestones. When GTRE failed to meet even first phase development milestones, then obviously its funding would be jeopardized as other higher priority programs would take precedence.