HAL Rejects Concerns of Tejas Mk1A Order Hindering Mk2 Development

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has dismissed concerns about the IAF's potential order for 97 LCA Tejas Mk1A fighter jets impacting the future of the Tejas Mk2 program.

Jayadeva EP, DGM at HAL clarified that the Mk1A and Mk2 variants are designed to fulfill distinct operational requirements within the IAF. The Mk1A, a cost-effective and reliable option, will handle specific missions, while the Mk2, with its advanced capabilities, will address more demanding tasks.

The Tejas Mk2 boasts a more powerful engine, advanced avionics, and a higher payload capacity compared to the Mk1A. These advancements make it a future-proof platform, capable of addressing evolving aerial threats for years to come.

The IAF's potential acquisition of both variants reflects a multi-pronged approach to fighter jet procurement, aimed at diversifying and strengthening its aerial combat capabilities.

Key Points​

• No conflict: HAL assures that the Mk1A order will not affect the Mk2 program.
• Distinct roles: Both variants cater to different operational needs within the IAF.
• Advanced capabilities: The Mk2 is a future-proof platform with enhanced features.
• Diversification: The IAF aims to strengthen its fleet through a multi-pronged approach.

 

[NSR]

Actually, India needs 300+ Tejas Mk 2s as they will replace almost all of Jaguars, Mig-29s, and Mirage-2000s.
Tejas IAs will be used for mostly Combat Air Patrols (CAPs) like Mig-21s.

They cater to completely separate requirements.

 

[Kira]

I was earlier raising this issue as well,that IAF should directly go for more MK-2 right off the bat rather than stop gap purchase of an additional 97 MK-1As.The MK-2 as a whole makes far more sense given its powerful engine which will ensure better potential for future upgrades and thus longer lifespan.
The differences between the MK-1A and MK-2 are not glaring today,but they surely will be over the long term,so it's better for the IAF and HAL to invest more resources in the newer variant especially since now India can produce the F-414 powerplant on its own with substantial ToT.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Actually, India needs 300+ Tejas Mk 2s as they will replace almost all of Jaguars, Mig-29s, and Mirage-2000s.
Tejas IAs will be used for mostly Combat Air Patrols (CAPs) like Mig-21s.

They cater to completely separate requirements.

By the time MK2 enters service even Pakistan will have 5th gen jets.

 

[NSR]

By the time MK2 enters service even Pakistan will have 5th gen jets.

Have some faith and do not denigrate.

By end of next year, at least one prototype will be ready for ground testing and optimistically taxi testing on a slow speed mode.

Tejas I development experience will become very handy in accelerating flight testing.

 

[kumar]

Tejas mk1 is for mig21 and tejas mk2 is for mwf like mirage, mig29, etc. There is no question of cannibalize.

 

[Sandeep]

Although the Tejas MK1A jets will mainly be useful for air defence their small RCS makes them ideal for launching attacks close to the border regions. We should consider painting them with radar absorbing material and increase the use of composites in the second order to improve its fighting capabilities and stealth.

What we need is to quickly develop Tejas MK2 as we need its enhanced fighting capabilities in service. But we will need more than the estimated order of 200 jets because we now need to cover more of our air space on the LAC against the Chinese. We will need at least 300-400 of Tejas MK2 jets and for the AMCA as well to keep our defence strong but also increase our fire power. We will also need to quickly develop the stealth UCAV Ghatak as soon as possible after we developed the SWIFT drone as a smaller version of it. We also need to develop the Archer NG to be used as a normal armed drone to increase our fire power and long range flight capabilities.

 

[binu boro]

India is yet to manufacture Mk1A and now are thinking of Mk2 (both are 4+Gen). On the other hand Pakistan is planning to stop production of JF -17 by 2030 and go for FC-31 stealth jet from China and that to for local production. Even in case of Submarines Pakistan is way ahead of India. Why so much delay, so much bureaucratic hurdles...? Don't people responsible for decision making have any patriotism. They take more salaries than their Pakistani counterparts and still not thinking for countries real defence needs. Pakistan may be bankrupt but are making huge strides in their defence acquisition. Very soon we may see or hear China sharing or helping Pakistan with Aircraft carrier manufacturing. No matter how much we laugh at Pakistan's economy, no matter how negatively we see Chinese products....the reality is that when this two countries together possess bigger number of Submarines, aircrafts, drones and carrier's our much hyped superior technology will fall flat with its limited numbers.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

See we had 800+ Migs in 1980s ! Now we must have combined strength of 1200+ Tejas-1A, Af-MK-II ORCA,AMCA-I AMCA-II till 2040 !

 

[Pink Panther]

By the time MK2 enters service even Pakistan will have 5th gen jets.

Let them have Junk-20, we will focus on Tejas MK2 first , 5th gen AMCA will follow soon, if not India will get a few foreign 5th gen jets as an interim.

 

[Pink Panther]

Tejas mk1 is for mig21 and tejas mk2 is for mwf like mirage, mig29, etc. There is no question of cannibalize.

MK2 is for Rafale also , SU-30 is in separate league,

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

By the time MK2 enters service even Pakistan will have 5th gen jets.

They will have an imported 5th generation jet in few numbers only and by that time Mk2 will go into production.

Early to mid 2030's will be challenging years for IA but after 2035 , AMCA will be inducted in 2-3 squadrons and will into full production, 100+ mk2 would have inducted...

TEDBF will be inducted , look at the brighter picture . For FC-31 , Rafale is currently the only option available considering the geopolitics environment. If USA and India relations will improve then in future there is a little scope for 2-3 F-35 squadrons as a stop gap measure.

And the Mk2 report of roll out in mid 2025 was a fabricated news to get views only... Mk2 will be rollout by 1st or 2nd Quarter of 2026.

 

[Ravi]

Looking at Ukraine Russia war, it's clear that the era of fighter jets is over when there are good air defence systems. US could bomb Iraq, Syria etc because of lack of air defence in those countries. Building the same old stuff is not going to help India. India needs to build a highly programmable missile which can travel at varying speeds, dodge enemy defences and hit the target. This needs a new approach.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

They will have an imported 5th generation jet in few numbers only and by that time Mk2 will go into production.

Early to mid 2030's will be challenging years for IA but after 2035 , AMCA will be inducted in 2-3 squadrons and will into full production, 100+ mk2 would have inducted...

TEDBF will be inducted , look at the brighter picture . For FC-31 , Rafale is currently the only option available considering the geopolitics environment. If USA and India relations will improve then in future there is a little scope for 2-3 F-35 squadrons as a stop gap measure.

And the Mk2 report of roll out in mid 2025 was a fabricated news to get views only... Mk2 will be rollout by 1st or 2nd Quarter of 2026.

AMCA will take atleast 15 years to develop. It won't be production ready by 2035.

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

AMCA will take atleast 15 years to develop. It won't be production ready by 2035.

Have you seen any jet in the world that took so much time , where the defence industry is matured...

In the case of tejas many hurdles came , we didn't have the access of technology due to pokhran test and after the early 2000's nuclear deal with US , things changed...

DPSUs currently makes avionics , radar , missiles and what not. Uttam AESA is currently under final few tests as mentioned by ADA chief 2 months ago with TR modules around 950.. We have seen the superb fly by wire system of tejas during its crash , how it maintained the posture..

Engine deal with US is not far , though 5th generation jet needs 3-4 years of testing but we still have a lot of time left.. if things goes right , we will see a first flight by 2029 end and then initial production by 2033 ( not to forget AMCA will come into 2 configuration )

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Although the Tejas MK1A jets will mainly be useful for air defence their small RCS makes them ideal for launching attacks close to the border regions. We should consider painting them with radar absorbing material and increase the use of composites in the second order to improve its fighting capabilities and stealth.

What we need is to quickly develop Tejas MK2 as we need its enhanced fighting capabilities in service. But we will need more than the estimated order of 200 jets because we now need to cover more of our air space on the LAC against the Chinese. We will need at least 300-400 of Tejas MK2 jets and for the AMCA as well to keep our defence strong but also increase our fire power. We will also need to quickly develop the stealth UCAV Ghatak as soon as possible after we developed the SWIFT drone as a smaller version of it. We also need to develop the Archer NG to be used as a normal armed drone to increase our fire power and long range flight capabilities.

The radar absorbing material by a DRDO lb is currently being tested on Su-30mki and according the reports it has significantly reduced the rcs by 80% but not to forget It is not a cheap suppliment

 

[Sandeep]

The radar absorbing material by a DRDO lb is currently being tested on Su-30mki and according the reports it has significantly reduced the rcs by 80% but not to forget It is not a cheap suppliment

Yes I know it’s expensive and it will require constant maintenance and painting.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Have you seen any jet in the world that took so much time , where the defence industry is matured...

In the case of tejas many hurdles came , we didn't have the access of technology due to pokhran test and after the early 2000's nuclear deal with US , things changed...

DPSUs currently makes avionics , radar , missiles and what not. Uttam AESA is currently under final few tests as mentioned by ADA chief 2 months ago with TR modules around 950.. We have seen the superb fly by wire system of tejas during its crash , how it maintained the posture..

Engine deal with US is not far , though 5th generation jet needs 3-4 years of testing but we still have a lot of time left.. if things goes right , we will see a first flight by 2029 end and then initial production by 2033 ( not to forget AMCA will come into 2 configuration )

Rafael project initiated in 1983, first flight 1986. Project was completed in 2001.

 

[Balwinder]

I fail to understand the logicbehind splurging millions of dollars in obsolete technologies. Essentially gen 4+platforms are so lagging in technical curve that by the time they are poised to be inducted they will actually loose their relevance in any theatre.. with gen 5+ platforms already stationed in Tibet with India in view in doesn’t look that favourable for India,s defence preparedness. The focus should more and more be in on AMCA and future proof platforms that can counter the immediate threat unfolding on northern front