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.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

In future keep 24 buffer engines each for Tejas mk1 and mk2. Indegenize ejection seats, refueling probe, radome.....

 

[Pramkumar]

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

 

[Dredd]

getting Tejas Mk1a post 2030 doesn't make sense for economy like brazil, Tejas Mk2 is very much similar to Gripen E of today so no sense for then to acquire it as well. They should collab with AMCA program

 

[M S Chatterji]

Only if you buy Embraer….

 

[PKPRS]

In future keep 24 buffer engines each for Tejas mk1 and mk2. Indegenize ejection seats, refueling probe, radome.....

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.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

All lies finally they will go to KA50 jets only....!! Also, no any F404 engines available anymore!

 

[Anant]

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.

Yes, Brazil should consider the Tejas Mk 2 as a replacement for the Gripen. I mean, the way HAL works, the Tejas Mk 2 will only be available for export in the 2060s or something.

Be more sensible, please?

Oh, and there is no indication about Egpyt's order size for the J-10, only that they are buying the J-10. Also, there is practically no chance this purchase is on barter anyways.

 

[PKPRS]

Yes, Brazil should consider the Tejas Mk 2 as a replacement for the Gripen. I mean, the way HAL works, the Tejas Mk 2 will only be available for export in the 2060s or something.

Be more sensible, please?

Oh, and there is no indication about Egpyt's order size for the J-10, only that they are buying the J-10. Also, there is practically no chance this purchase is on barter anyways.

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.

 

[PKPRS]

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.

They have 220 F16’s, where did you get 35 figure from, according to the news they are replacing all of their old 220 F16’s which they bought in 1980’s with J10-C “Vigorous Dragon”, so it’s a simple guess, they might even make these jets in Egypt.

 

[desigandu]

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…

 

[Anant]

They have 220 F16’s, where did you get 35 figure from, according to the news they are replacing all of their old 220 F16’s which they bought in 1980’s with J10-C “Vigorous Dragon”, so it’s a simple guess, they might even make these jets in Egypt.

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.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Honestly, I don't think there is any truth in this article.

 

[PKPRS]

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.

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.

 

[Sandeep]

India should keep on advertising the jet and try to make more deals wherever we can regardless of the possibility in not achieving any new sales. This jet is perfect for defence but it also has the capability to launch offensive missions with modern missiles and bombs. It’s very good for small to medium countries as it has the range and we can quickly mobilise it in the air very quickly.

 

[M.H.]

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.

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.

 

[M.H.]

Only if you buy Embraer….

Embraer is not interested in selling itself, but in partnerships! The Brazilian government would certainly veto something like that...

 

[M.H.]

Honestly, I don't think there is any truth in this article.

This is purely political! Brazil invested heavily in the Gripen E program to replace it with something similar. It is most likely that it will seek something like a light fighter, such as the KAI T-50, with the possibility of being manufactured locally.

 

[M.H.]

The Brazilian Air Force has a tradition of having complementary aircraft! Therefore, given the proximity of the Gripen to the Tejas, I see it as unlikely that Brazil will acquire it. The most likely thing to happen is that they will acquire light fighters, such as the KAI T-50.