IAF Pushing for Rapid 300 Tejas Mk2 Deployment, Proposing Private Sector Led Manufacturing for Atleast 60 Jets

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is strongly advocating for a faster rollout of the indigenously developed Tejas Mk2 fighter jet, proposing a significant expansion of the program and a novel approach to manufacturing.

The IAF, which has already committed to purchasing 120 Tejas Mk2s, is now considering an additional 180 jets order with private sector participation, potentially reaching a total of 300 aircraft. This would be dependent on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) approving a plan to involve the private sector in the jet's production.

The Tejas Mk2 is intended to replace the IAF's aging Mirage 2000 and MiG-29UPG fleets, with initial deliveries currently slated for 2034-35. The IAF is a stakeholder and has funded 30% of an estimated 10,000 crore for development cost.

Currently, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a state-owned aerospace company, is responsible for producing all variants of the Tejas. However, HAL's current production capacity is limited to approximately 16-20 aircraft per year.

This rate has struggled to meet the IAF's operational requirements, and also the program has faced some earlier delays. To overcome this, the IAF is proposing a separate production line for the Mk2, led by private sector companies.

The IAF's plan envisions private companies manufacturing at least 60 of the Tejas Mk2 jets. Several prominent Indian firms with growing aerospace capabilities, including Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Reliance Defence, have been identified as potential partners.

This approach aims to utilize the private sector's agility and investment potential to accelerate production, while HAL would continue to focus on design, initial production runs, and the crucial transfer of technology.

The Ministry of Defence's approval is critical for this proposal to proceed. The MoD will need to consider various factors, including the significant financial investment required for an expanded order of 300 jets.

The estimated cost could range from ₹75,000 crore to ₹90,000 crore (approximately $9 billion to $10.8 billion USD), spread over several years. Additionally, the MoD will need to carefully manage HAL's role in the program, balancing its existing responsibilities with the proposed private sector involvement.

Furthermore, the Tejas Mk2 is still under development. Key milestones, including engine integration, avionics testing, and certification, are still ongoing, with the first flight planned in 2026. Any delays in these crucial steps could impact the overall timeline.

Despite these challenges, the IAF's proactive approach to securing future orders indicates strong confidence in the Tejas Mk2 program and aims to encourage early industry participation and investment.

 

[Gajanan Hirde]

So the bottom of the line is, HAL is a sick fish in the pond.

 

[Akash7645]

Only 60? Atleast allow 150 units for private sector and rest 150 to HAL.

 

[Joydip 1978]

What about the GE404 engine for those extra 180units of Tejas MK2 that is not in supply?

 

[ekalavya]

Always future tense.

 

[PKPRS]

Yes, the only way to salvage, but it is going to cost time and money to bring the private companies up to speed. MRFA is the easier shortcut to set up infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and an ecosystem at a reasonable cost. None of the private companies know anything about fighter jet manufacturing. HAL still uses last-century manufacturing techniques. LM, Airbus, or even SAAB would be ideal to set up infrastructure to teach a private company or two, and HAL, the latest manufacturing practices to perform large-scale manufacturing.

 

[DNA57]

Yes, private sector-led production line for Tejas MK2 is the best solution.

 

[Preet]

I mean, that's a no-brainer.

Tejas Mk2 are to replace MiG-29, Mirage, and Jaguars. Total jets to be replaced are 240-250 in number, so at least 250 Tejas Mk2 have to be procured, and surely 120 Mk2 was way too less. We have to mass produce them. Just a fact-check, China has 550 J-10C, so yeah, we need 300 Mk2, and this way, we would be able to develop a decent private sector manufacturing facility in place and eventually get them to parallely make AMCA and 6th-gen platforms in the future too!!

 

[GMR]

Proposing is easy, but the Pvt. sector will come forward only if they get adequate ROI. With only 120 numbers & with low export expectations because of dependence on many imported parts, it will be hard to achieve this.

 

[Dredd]

Proposing is easy, but the Pvt. sector will come forward only if they get adequate ROI. With only 120 numbers & with low export expectations because of dependence on many imported parts, it will be hard to achieve this.

Drop 97 Mk1A additional orders and add this to Tejas Mk2 numbers. It would cross 200+ easily. 200 plus is a good order book for the private sector to invest in an assembly line and manpower recruitment. Also, involve the private sector in AMCA development.

A 300 number for Tejas Mk2 is a good starting point. This will make the per-unit cost cheaper due to the economy of scale. We can have 3 batches with incremental improvements, with the last batch to use future 5th generation 110KN engines. For initial deliveries, lease any of the existing HAL assembly lines. The Kanpur assembly line is free as of now with almost zero Dornier orders.

At the current rate, I don't think HAL can even deliver 83 Mk1A by 2032. They haven't even delivered the 4 remaining trainers from the 2009 order.

 

[Dredd]

I mean, that's a no-brainer.

Tejas Mk2 are to replace MiG-29, Mirage, and Jaguars. Total jets to be replaced are 240-250 in number, so at least 250 Tejas Mk2 have to be procured, and surely 120 Mk2 was way too less. We have to mass produce them. Just a fact-check, China has 550 J-10C, so yeah, we need 300 Mk2, and this way, we would be able to develop a decent private sector manufacturing facility in place and eventually get them to parallely make AMCA and 6th-gen platforms in the future too!!

300 orders will encourage private players to invest seriously, and it will also give confidence to export customers. As of now, even common Indians don't have any confidence in HAL's capabilities, let alone the IAF or any other country.

 

[desigandu]

This is the power of economies of scale, lower the cost of per-jet production cost. If IAF is interested in Tejas MK2 with massive order & Dassault is not interested in sharing ToT, then more orders can be placed in the future for Tejas MK2. Yesterday, I have said Tejas MK1A cost 325cr to 347 cr as per 2023 & with 300 Tejas MK2 massive order, cost per jet further drops to south of 300 cr, while the F-35 which is highest produced in the US cost 80 Mn $ odd. This is what happens if there is a bigger order. Nice to see IAF backing & supporting indigenous platform, unlike Army interested in imported systems. This can make a big difference in cost.

Second, MRFA Comparison 25Bn $ for 114 Jets & 300 Tejas MK2 cost 300cr per jet, that's the difference. Dassault have hardly 200 odd Rafale jet order, lesser than what IAF is interested in placing 300 for Tejas MK2. Interesting Fact, 26 Rafale M cost over 60,000cr with weapon package, spares, etc. Should Bharat go for Rafale...................? in MRFA.................? or any other platform?

Real comparison, F-35 cost 78 Mn $ to 80 Mn $ a jet while Rafale cost 145 Mn$ per unit cost & Tejas MK2 300 Cr. Interesting, Entire IAF order of 300 Tejas MK2 beats the current order book of Dassault by a whopping 40%. Ha Ha Ha Ha. Amazing Facts & Figures.

Bharat should go for either Russian Su-57 or develop ORCA variant with some IAF demand in TEDBF with GaN based AESA Radar with 1400 to 1600 TRM. it will cost 50% less than what Rafale cost with similar range, weapon payload & combat radius within 7 years, then why need MRFA if Dassault is unwilling to share ToT & not interested in starting Assembly Line with Local Pvt player?

 

[हरिः व्योम]

Why is IAF forcing private participation? Genuine capabilities must first be exhibited by private companies.

Of course, let them be consultants for parts and components. The assembly line must be single vendor.

IAF is shooting itself in the foot.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

The HAL production lines in Bangalore must be disinvested to strategic aero manufacturers of India, with small, medium, and large companies buying into shares and equity, and govt HAL holding reduced below 49%.

A complementary manufacturing facility using HAL govt land, production lines, and skilled engineers, technicians, workmen, coupled with financially empowered private CEOs and fast decision-making of the private sector, will cut down on timelines and will be a win-win situation for all, with HAL sending skilled officers, engineers, and technicians to private enterprises at higher salaries where accountability and responsibility will be enforced and rewards and sackings will become the norm.

 

[Srinivas Rao]

Finally, some sense prevailing. Only X-factor is engine availability. GE F414 in India... How many can be produced per year?

 

[Preet]

300 orders will encourage private players to invest seriously, and it will also give confidence to export customers. As of now, even common Indians don't have any confidence in HAL's capabilities, let alone the IAF or any other country.

Yup.. let HAL make 220 Tejas Mk1As and then switch 30-40% of its capacity to Mk2.. and eventually start making AMCA by 2035..

and the private sector should make 60-70% of Mk2 and eventually make AMCA as well.. that's the only solution visible.. but the bottleneck remains as Engines. We better give at least 400 GE414 engine order.. 100 off the shelf and 300 engines made in India..

this is the minimum amount we need before Indigenous engines come.. let's see how wise Indian authorities behave.🤣

 

[Mithu Roy]

If you are planning for 300 jets then you will require 900 engines, and if you bank on the USA, you are doomed for the future. For such orders, have two engine options: one Western and the other Russian, through the engine bay concept.

Back up the indigenous engine with foreign help.

 

[sujith sudhakaran]

Why is IAF forcing private participation? Genuine capabilities must first be exhibited by private companies.

Of course, let them be consultants for parts and components. The assembly line must be single vendor.

IAF is shooting itself in the foot.

Private companies, unlike HAL, can be held accountable for their actions. So, if private companies start outpacing HAL in delivery, it will cause HAL to stop dragging their feet unless they want to expose even more of how incompetent they are.

 

[PKPRS]

300 orders will encourage private players to invest seriously, and it will also give confidence to export customers. As of now, even common Indians don't have any confidence in HAL's capabilities, let alone the IAF or any other country.

None of the private companies have any experience whatsoever.

 

[Dredd]

None of the private companies have any experience whatsoever.

Did Tata have any experience before C295?

 

[coke]

Article says 60 will be made by pvt companies, so who will set up line just for 60?

 

[md.sharique.anwer]

I'm hearing about tejas since kargil war happens. Unfortunately HAL delivered a toy which even cannot replace mig21. Where the tax payer money is going?????

 

[skumar7777]

The Defence Ministry has been the worst performing ministry of the Modi government after the passing away of the incorruptible Mr Manohar Parrikar.

The regime has been proudly articulating its stupid strategic decision to reduce defence spending as a percentage of GDP in the last 2-3 years (just to enable Mr Modi make some vishwa guru like statements regarding the era of war?) - this when it is clear to most people that we are entering an era of war. Before the flame baits, I fully support Modi as the TINA leader - the alternatives are too scary to imagine.

Just maintaining the 2014 spending percentage of GDP on defence would have given more money than we needed (> $50B)and avoided vendors taking us for a ride.

The identification of the development of the indigenous jet engine as a bold national mission (like the US moon mission in the 1960s) was a missed opportunity in 2014.

We need fresh leadership in the Ministry just like the unexpected appointment of Mr Shaktikanta Das to the RBI in 2018 - to clear the mess created by the bureaucrats, technocrats and the various lobbies within the armed forces.

 

[Dredd]

Yup.. let HAL make 220 Tejas Mk1As and then switch 30-40% of its capacity to Mk2.. and eventually start making AMCA by 2035..

and the private sector should make 60-70% of Mk2 and eventually make AMCA as well.. that's the only solution visible.. but the bottleneck remains as Engines. We better give at least 400 GE414 engine order.. 100 off the shelf and 300 engines made in India..

this is the minimum amount we need before Indigenous engines come.. let's see how wise Indian authorities behave.🤣

Don't know what the IAF is waiting for, maybe they don't trust the ADA with Mk2 and AMCA development. This lack of trust would prove costly in the future, but I don't blame the IAF in their lack of confidence with the ADA and HAL.

 

[venkat]

Atleast 120-140 need to be private for it to make sense.