India should scrap the Rafale tender immediately. We need to focus and find a quick and cost effective way to manufacture the Tejas MK1A jets so that we receive a good, steady, reliable and regular number of jets a year that are certified safe.
At the same time we need to quickly resolve the problems with Tejas MK2 as its first flight has been delayed by several years now. We need to learn how to develop this more advanced and technologically superior jet, its equipment and its essential parts and components. This jet is very different to the Tejas MK1A jet so a lot of the technology will be new but essential. We need to aim for its first flight by next year and it will take a long time to run the tests and trials.
At the same time we need to develop the TEDBF but it will take a longer time as we are developing a indigenous carrier jet which can tolerate the hard take off and hard crash landing which puts a huge strain on its undercarriage, air frames, technology, equipment and fuselage so we will need to carry out a lot of crash tests and simulations so we can provide the best type of body.
We also need to focus on the AMCA which is the main stealth jet and become the main backbone of our fighter jets. We now need to manufacture the prototypes as we have designed and developed the technology, materials and other important technologies and have its first flight in the next few years.
While we are developing our indigenous jets it will take more time than expected to manufacture them. So now we need to upgrade and implement the Super Sukhoi program along with a midlife upgrade which will enhance its lethality and combat capabilities which will keep the jet in service for at least another 20 years. We also need to upgrade the Mirage 2000 and Mig 29 which will improve its combat capabilities and technology as we need to keep these jets in service for the next 10 years.
If we want to increase our squadron strength then we can still buy some more second hand Mirage 2000 and Mig 29 jets that are in good condition and after upgrading them it can create another 2-4 squadrons depending on it’s condition, amount of jets and final price.
As our jets technology is old and we only have 2 squadrons of modern and lethal rafale jets there is a need and option to buy more rafale jets but they are very very expensive. A better and more affordable option would be to lease 2-4 more Rafale squadrons of the older versions but its technology will still be more advanced than the Sukhoi jets. We can lease the jets for around 10 years as it will take a long time to produce enough jets to increase our squadron numbers. This arrangement will be more affordable and practical.