Brazil Eyes Tejas Mk1A and MkII as F-5 Replacement, Pursue India to Choose Embraer C-390 Under IAF’s MTA Tender

In a significant development signaling closer defence ties between India and Brazil, Brazil's Air Force Commander, Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, has expressed interest in India's Tejas fighter jets as a potential replacement for its aging F-5 fleet.

This comes amidst India's consideration of the Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for its own air force, highlighting a potential reciprocal defence procurement arrangement between the two nations.

Damasceno, during his visit to India, confirmed that the Tejas Mk1A and the forthcoming MkII are under consideration as Brazil seeks to modernize its fighter fleet post-2030.

The Tejas, developed by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), presents an attractive option, particularly the more advanced MkII variant, with its increased payload capacity and performance compared to Brazil's F-5s.

This interest in the Tejas marks a major milestone for India's indigenous fighter jet program, which has been actively seeking international buyers. The Tejas' recent participation in the multinational exercise 'Tarang Shakti' and endorsements from high-ranking military officials, including India's Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, have further bolstered its international profile.

Concurrently, Brazil has been actively pursuing India's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) tender with its Embraer C-390 Millennium. A joint venture between Embraer Defence & Security and India's Mahindra Group aims to manufacture the C-390 in India, aligning with the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative. The IAF is reportedly looking to procure 40-80 such aircraft.

These potential defence deals underscore a growing strategic partnership between India and Brazil. Both nations are looking to strengthen their defence capabilities while promoting domestic manufacturing and technological collaboration.

If successful, these procurements could pave the way for further defence cooperation, including joint development and production of military equipment.

While negotiations are ongoing, the potential Tejas and C-390 deals signify a promising future for India-Brazil defence ties, built on mutual interests and a shared commitment to bolstering their respective defence industries.

 

[NSR]

Brazil already has Gripen-E made in Brazil itself.
Remember that Sweden/SAAB trying Gripen for Indian MRFA contract.

Why do they need another similar type of fighter like Tejas IA which is not as capable as Gripen-E.

Does not make sense at all to introduce a new fighter with new eco systems and new maintenance streams.

 

[Abishek]

I very much doubt that Brazil will consider the Tejas as a replacement for the Gripen, especially with the investment made in the program to become an export platform for the model in the future.

They will probably go for FC-31 or J20.

 

[Anant]

But their official statement says they wanted to replace all of their 220 F16’s A/B/C/Dwith J10-C in and they don’t intent to upgrade them , there’s already talks circling around that either Taiwan or Ukraine is going to buy the non-retired ones that are still operating, majority of their F16’s were already retired, it seems they also don’t want to buy any more Rafale’s like the IAF.

Nope, their statement says they are procuring the J-10 to replace older F-16s. These older F-16s would be the Block 15 and Block 32 aircraft, potentially with a few Block 40 airframes that are the end of their life.

See, I am not saying Egypt will not replace their F-16s completely with the J-10. They sure can. However, the entire replacement doesn't seem to be happening in one go presently, and unless Egypt can somehow magic a few dozen billion dollars into existence or find buyers for their F-16s (neither of which seems to be happening), any replacement will happen in phases, and only one phase has been confirmed as of yet.

 

[Anant]

Good, if we can do things strategically…But my thoughts are if Brazil already flies the Grippen-E then their needs could be just met with Tejas Mk2, which opearates in a similar class, but becomes very potent with Uttam AESA and Indian weapons, along with freedom from western pressures…

Nevertheless, these can only be delivered starting 2035, if and a big if is - HAL produces Tejas Mk2, at least 12-18 per year starting 2030,, so by 2035 they can produce 36 jets per year….

Given HALs track record I have very low/zero confidence in them scaling, let alone meet India’s demands + potential exports…It is good to have big ambitions, but it seems a bridge too far…

Good luck and hopefully they succeed…

Yeah... not happening. Knowing HAL, if they plan for 24 jets a year, they'll do 8-10 at best. I shudder to think of the expense that would be needed for them to actually deliver 24 ot 36 jets a year.

 

[desigandu]

Yeah... not happening. Knowing HAL, if they plan for 24 jets a year, they'll do 8-10 at best. I shudder to think of the expense that would be needed for them to actually deliver 24 ot 36 jets a year.

By 2035 only IAF + IN needs may be 36+ (Tejas-Mk2, AMCA a d TEDBF) jets per year - how are we going to get there?

Assuming HAL can only deliver 12-16 per year, unless we find another solution in the private sector our plans are doomed!

Let us get our house in order before dreaming of exports…GOI must bankroll a private player even if it costs the taxpayer a lot like what we are doing for chips…or let us go with F-16 and LM can setup an ecosystem that can be in partnership with Tatas, that will become the private player by 2030…

French Rafales don’t have the supply chain to massively scale as they are struggling with 3 jets a month - despite tall claims of frenchies… LM at least has made 100-150 jets per year and knows how to scale…

 

[Abishek]

They started buying F-16s in the 1980s, but it was a phased process, and was as follows:

1. 42 Block 10/15 aircraft in 1981-83.

2. 40 Block 32 aircraft in 1985-86.

3. 138 Block 40 aircraft between 1989 and 2002 in four separate orders.

4. 20 Block 52 aircraft in 2010.

Of these, a total of 22 aircraft from the original six orders have either been lost or retired, which includes 10 aircraft from the first order of Batch 10/15 aircraft.

The aircraft presently up for replacement are the Block 10/15 aircraft, since they cannot be modernised much. The Block 32 aircraft are due for replacement by the end of this decade, while the Block 40 aircraft are not due for retirement till after 2035, with the Block 52 aircraft having no plans for retirement as of yet.

Therefore, even with the corner case, there are a maximum of around 70 airframes up for replacement if one adds the Block 32 aircraft as well.

They don’t have block 52,, US was supposed to deliver but they stopped delivery after Admin change citing human rights, only then they ordered MIG-29 and SU-35 and even those were threatened with sanctions, so they bought Rafales, even those were pressured to be given without important missiles. All they have is old A,B,C,D.

 

[Anant]

Egypt is buying 100+ to replace their old F16’s, they have 220 Old F16’s, do the order might even be 150+, MK2 will be ready by 2028 if HAL makes GE engine begore that, they already found a location for that manufacturing plant.

1. The order size for Egypt has not been disclosed yet. If you have a source, do share it.

2. Based on the news articles, the J-10 purchase is to replace the oldest F-16s, which would be the 32-ish F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft. As such, the order would be of similar size.

3. The Brazilians still haven't received all their ordered Gripens. Of the 40 aircraft ordered, 8 have been delivered. In this scenario, are you seriously proposing Brazil replace these new (and in most cases undelivered) jets now?

4. The Tejas Mk 2 may be in flight tests by 2028, but production isn't starting until 2032-33 at the least.

 

[Koorma]

If anything, Brazil should have proposed to build a fighter engine, together with India and Israel.

 

[PKPRS]

They don’t have block 52,, US was supposed to deliver but they stopped delivery after Admin change citing human rights, only then they ordered MIG-29 and SU-35 and even those were threatened with sanctions, so they bought Rafales, even those were pressured to be given without important missiles. All they have is old A,B,C,D.

Yes you are correct, US didn’t deliver BLOCK 52 after military coup, all they have is very old A,B,C and D, many of them mot operational waiting for upgrades or spares, this is why they decided to replace all 220 with J10-C.

 

[Rajesh]

They can consider Tejas MK2 as Gripen replacement too, we can do barter trade for c-390, Egypt just bought 100+ J10 from the Chinese, Brazil might go the same way.

Egypt deal with china won't happen because of american brokerage ie they will resume stalled military aid and take back the usual drama of human rights back which means no j10 and restrictions r taken back.

 

[M.H.]

They will probably go for FC-31 or J20.

Most likely not! Although China is Brazil's largest trading partner in the defense sector, the South American country tends to choose Western products due to their superiority, as it has been doing in recent bidding processes.

 

[PKPRS]

Nope, their statement says they are procuring the J-10 to replace older F-16s. These older F-16s would be the Block 15 and Block 32 aircraft, potentially with a few Block 40 airframes that are the end of their life.

See, I am not saying Egypt will not replace their F-16s completely with the J-10. They sure can. However, the entire replacement doesn't seem to be happening in one go presently, and unless Egypt can somehow magic a few dozen billion dollars into existence or find buyers for their F-16s (neither of which seems to be happening), any replacement will happen in phases, and only one phase has been confirmed as of yet.

Nope their statement says they are going to replace all 220 F16’s with J10-C’s.

 

[MF]

Only if you buy Embraer….

Why do you still insist on the possibility of buying Embraer? The Brazilian company itself has already made it clear that it is not willing to make agreements of this type!

 

[Anant]

Nope their statement says they are going to replace all 220 F16’s with J10-C’s.

Please share a source that says all the F-16s are up for replacement. In any case, it makes little sense for them to replace F-16s that haven't even served for a decade yet.

An EAF Squadron Commander at the air show where the order was announced was quoted as saying that the J-10C will be used for a phased replacement of the F-16s, starting with the oldest airframes. That can mean anything up to 70-ish airframes (Block 15 and Block 32 aircraft).

 

[Anant]

All the British and other Western Components need to be replaced before 2028-29

Highly doubtful given the lack of suitable alternatives. Some of these may be replaced, but not all.