India's Fighter Jet Exports: Tejas MkI's Lessons Hold the Key to MkII and AMCA Success

India's aerospace ambitions are soaring high with the Tejas MkII and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programs, poised to revolutionize the nation's defence capabilities.

However, the specter of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas MkI program's troubled history looms large, reminding industry leaders and policymakers of the critical need to address past mistakes to ensure future success.

The Tejas MkI, while a technological achievement, faced significant delays and production bottlenecks that tarnished its global reputation. These setbacks have made exports a challenge, underscoring the importance of proactive measures to prevent similar issues with the Tejas MkII and AMCA programs.

Industry experts stress the need for a streamlined production process, leveraging private sector expertise, and investing in cutting-edge technologies to accelerate production timelines and meet both domestic and international demand. A robust supply chain for critical components and materials is also crucial to maintain consistent production schedules.

Equally important is a comprehensive marketing strategy that showcases the advanced capabilities and cost-effectiveness of the Tejas MkII and AMCA. By highlighting their technological prowess, multi-role capabilities, and superior maneuverability, India can attract potential buyers from around the world.

Building trust and credibility is paramount. Demonstrating a commitment to timely delivery, reliable performance, and comprehensive after-sales support can instill confidence in potential buyers and pave the way for successful exports.

Furthermore, targeted marketing campaigns that address the specific needs and requirements of different regions and potential clients can significantly enhance the appeal of the Tejas MkII and AMCA.

By learning from the Tejas MkI program's challenges and embracing proactive measures, India can secure the future of its next-generation fighter programs and establish itself as a major player in the global aerospace industry.

 

[Hari Sud]

First get these operational within the Indian airforce and then these become more competent sales.

 

[sanket]

Pvt players are not even ready to manufacture AMCA , They want Big orders over 500 jets and Good Return on their Investment, Pvt players should also task for R&D. Some components should b developed Indigenously to Export the jets , Just like experienced in Tejas MK1A with British components it faced Resistance .

 

[Vineet Sharma]

HAL is relatively new player in international market with a earlier image of buyer not seller.. That too had done no efforts to materialise intial loss of reputation in small orders due to lack of experience in handling such situation. They need some serious efforts, experience and support to get his position. But with time, willpower everything will be streamline
The only thing that can't be dealt of is politicians that for there own sake will always going to undermine you so take care this factor in advance..

 

[NSR]

Forget about effing exports and marketing and deliver the Tejas IAs and develop Tejas Mk2 on WARP SPEED basis as India needs both to stop hemorrhaging squadron strengths.

Nothing else should be of important to HAL or else pretty soon it will be privatized in some form or shape or color.
All of your breaks, lunches, siestas, vacations, holidays, etc will be capische.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

Biggest mistake while making Tejas was cart before Horse approcach by ADA+HAL we need make AMCA engines along with with AMCA fighter jets !

 

[Anant]

Pvt players are not even ready to manufacture AMCA , They want Big orders over 500 jets and Good Return on their Investment, Pvt players should also task for R&D. Some components should b developed Indigenously to Export the jets , Just like experienced in Tejas MK1A with British components it faced Resistance .

British components were never a point of resistance, except with Argentina. The simple fact of the matter is that there are comparable or better alternatives that are battle proven, have seen good service, and are available on time. The Tejas has none of those three things going for it.

 

[Kira]

Marketing and defence diplomacy is all well and good,but before that India must ensure that it's defence industries gets it act together when it comes to actual delivery of kit and it's after sales support,not to mention privatization of PSUs.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

The Tejas Mkl program, despite eventually achieving operational status, was marred by significant delays and production bottlenecks These issues not only hampered the Indian Air Force's (IAF) modernization plans but also tarnished the program's reputation on the global stage. The lingering negative perception has posed challenges for exporting the Tejas Mkl, making it crucial for India to address these concerns proactively with the Tejas.

I plucked this self explanatory para from the article in which the author explains the reasons precisely why even third world countries are not keen in picking Tejas. I completely understand that this is the first modern fighter project and the engineers want to do right the first time and the safety concerns are their top priorities. But boggling question in my mind is that our engineers have "reasonable" experience producing Sukhoi 30 in big quantities in India. Also they have some experience through collaboration with the Russians. When HAL, initially was facing problems with home made Kaveri engines for Tejas it consumed too time. When they realised it is beyond our capabilities HAL engineers should embarked on a collaboration initiative with foreign manufacturers. I am not sure what was the reason why but finally they decided order GE engines. This is just my personal opinion from following the news on the development and long overdue journey finally took to the sky. But still I am very proud that we have a homegrown fighter, Tejas.

 

[Kaali Suputra]

Pvt players are not even ready to manufacture AMCA , They want Big orders over 500 jets and Good Return on their Investment, Pvt players should also task for R&D. Some components should b developed Indigenously to Export the jets , Just like experienced in Tejas MK1A with British components it faced Resistance .

500 jets!? Even the US government wouldn't order 500 jets in one or even two attempts. These are subjective needs per squadron I believe. Besides, even Lockheed wouldn't expect 500 jet or 250 jet order in one go.

The USAF orderered 7 F22As in the beginning as per internet reports and the total decalred number stands at 136 as per public online records.
If an Indian pvt sector entity asks IAF for 500 or even closer jet order, they are being stupendously silly, looking at the global and public airforce stats for developed nations i.e.

However, agree on the other point, that private payers need to prove their mettle with R&D and innovation and not open their mouth wide for profit making orders, not in the first attempt to start a new venture atleast and definately not in numbers that sound like an engineering prank. That is fair.

 

[sanket]

500 jets!? Even the US government wouldn't order 500 jets in one or even two attempts. These are subjective needs per squadron I believe. Besides, even Lockheed wouldn't expect 500 jet or 250 jet order in one go.

The USAF orderered 7 F22As in the beginning as per internet reports and the total decalred number stands at 136 as per public online records.
If an Indian pvt sector entity asks IAF for 500 or even closer jet order, they are being stupendously silly, looking at the global and public airforce stats for developed nations i.e.

However, agree on the other point, that private payers need to prove their mettle with R&D and innovation and not open their mouth wide for profit making orders, not in the first attempt to start a new venture atleast and definately not in numbers that sound like an engineering prank. That is fair.

Pvt players havent shown any Interest in manufacturing AMCA , due its order size under 150 jets (Including AMCA MK1 & AMCA MK2).This is good opportunity for them to come forward , another opportunity may TEDBF ,another 100 TEDBF may b ordered, Even Tejas MK2 may havr order potential over 200 .Lots of Buisiness waiting they need to wake-up and Export of this jets is another Business opportunity.

 

[Sandeep]

The main task is that HAL needs to start manufacturing the jets on time, in a large amount and in good quality but the repeated delays hamper any chance of another country buying it as we appear to be unreliable in meeting another country’s security needs along with selling any spares or parts that might be needed.

The Tejas MK1A jet is a very capable jet with a immense amount of advanced technology and capability but we also use a slightly higher amount of foreign critical equipment, parts and technology which is another problem as we would need to obtain permission from all of those countries we bought that part from like the British seat, Israeli radar and the USA engine. This complicates any sales attempts. So we need to reduce the amount of foreign technology and parts that we use and replace it with a higher amount of indigenous parts, equipment and technology.

Right now we should continue to advertise our jet and its capabilities to raise awareness. We need to quickly develop and manufacture Tejas MK2 and the AMCA as fast as possible as they have received the funding and permission a long time ago. We also can’t keep and delaying key projects for long periods of time as we look more unreliable to the customer. We also need to manufacture more jets at the same time and it can’t be done by HAL alone.

To boost private sector participation we need to use their existing facilities to manufacture the jets. We should issue a licence to manufacture the jets by showing them the designs, specifications, how to manufacture and build the jets. This will benefit us in future jet program like Tejas MK2 and AMCA and use the same business model by providing licences to even several companies.

 

[Pad UwU]

Pvt players havent shown any Interest in manufacturing AMCA , due its order size under 150 jets (Including AMCA MK1 & AMCA MK2).This is good opportunity for them to come forward , another opportunity may TEDBF ,another 100 TEDBF may b ordered, Even Tejas MK2 may havr order potential over 200 .Lots of Buisiness waiting they need to wake-up and Export of this jets is another Business opportunity.

Pvt players are scared of government no assurance of aircraft orders and the non changing tides of always different stories of order cancellation and revision.... So no they would not gamble themselves to go bankrupt from IAF or Navy of no assurance of big order of finality....
All those you mention of numbers is just a story without proper proof of big orders

 

[Pad UwU]

Forget about effing exports and marketing and deliver the Tejas IAs and develop Tejas Mk2 on WARP SPEED basis as India needs both to stop hemorrhaging squadron strengths.

Nothing else should be of important to HAL or else pretty soon it will be privatized in some form or shape or color.
All of your breaks, lunches, siestas, vacations, holidays, etc will be capische.

Good point HAL should prove itself first of delivering it's local obligation first stop dreaming of overseas export at the moment and finish it's contract to the government

 

[RG]

Engine is a weak link, effort must be made to have sanction proof product. It would be better to have version with domestically produced engine. use Kaveri development knowledge, experience from RD-33MK and AL-31FP and others,. to produce a version of Tejas that can use RD-33MK and Tejas Mk2 with AL-31FP, make it reliable enough and reduce weight if possible or use it as it is, for a version that can be mass produced. numbers are critical, shining technology is good but availability and number has its own quality.