Philippines Likely to Reject Tejas Mk1A in $1.04 Billion Multi-Role Fighter Program

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is reportedly leaning towards selecting either the Saab Gripen E or the American F-16 V Viper in its ambitious Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) project. This program, with a budget of US$1.04 billion, aims to procure up to 12 new fighter jets to modernize the PAF's fleet.

Despite India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) offering its Tejas Mk1A, it seems the aircraft is not among the frontrunners. The PAF is prioritizing the Gripen E and F-16 V, both renowned for their advanced capabilities and proven track records.

HAL has yet to comment on this development, leaving the fate of their Tejas Mk1A offer uncertain. The Tejas Mk1A, optimized for naval operations and proposed to be equipped with the BrahMos-NG air-launched cruise missile, was seen as a strong contender, but it appears the PAF has other preferences.

The MRF project, initially planned for an earlier timeframe, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the PAF moves closer to a decision, the focus seems to be on the Gripen E and F-16 V, potentially leaving the Tejas Mk1A out of the picture.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

only export potential India will have with mk2 which should have come sooner. Blame our planners for this. We are investing in a jet that will come 30 yrs later compared to its competitors,technology invention doesnt stop for anyone,any country. But even if late mk2 is extremely necessary.

 

[R. Singh]

ADA/HAL upgrade Tejas-1A with 90+ KN engine, Mac 2.25 speed, increase its endurance in air and combat radius, Nations will line up to buy our Tejas-1A fighter !

 

[Kailash]

First things first - numbers numbers numbers. Incrementally better quality, supporting ecosystem, missiles, bombs etc. Then think of export clients.

Believe me, it is a great leverage to have on global south, but SEA is not where you start. May be some African/South American countries might fit the bill.

 

[Shafted mohammed]

go ahead , the initial price , per hour price and maintenance would shock them. India should conduct Balakot style strike with Tejas and show the potential and shoot down many F 16 in counter strike. Philippines would where F16 stands and so would Argentina.

 

[browny]

go ahead , the initial price , per hour price and maintenance would shock them. India should conduct Balakot style strike with Tejas and show the potential and shoot down many F 16 in counter strike. Philippines would where F16 stands and so would Argentina.

True.IAF used mirage 2000 not even the Sukhoi 30,so IAF does not have much faith in su 30 leave alone Tejas 😊

 

[Pad UwU]

Good for Philippines deciding what's better option is... This will show us lesson to better opted to Tejas mk2 than still continuing the mk1a... Our saving grace of getting Tejas exported is the mk2...
GoI needs to sell a better different weapons systems for Philippines like if the brahmos NG for their aircraft

 

[Pad UwU]

only export potential India will have with mk2 which should have come sooner. Blame our planners for this. We are investing in a jet that will come 30 yrs later compared to its competitors,technology invention doesnt stop for anyone,any country. But even if late mk2 is extremely necessary.

Wait for AMCA they already change it again as 5.5gen LMAO 😹😹😹 another Tejas wannabe project

 

[Pad UwU]

go ahead , the initial price , per hour price and maintenance would shock them. India should conduct Balakot style strike with Tejas and show the potential and shoot down many F 16 in counter strike. Philippines would where F16 stands and so would Argentina.

Then we should start reclaiming the lose territories from Pakistan and China if we want to show the potential power of Tejas 🙃🤔🧐

 

[Bhishma]

Just forget it. We cannot realistically compete with our GE engines. Lockheed will always block us. We need to replace the GE engine and replace the ejection seat. Gripen is just eye wash, they are going to select F16 anyway. We cant blame them, Ph is heavily reliant on the US for their security. Integrate Kaveri into Tejas, get a replacement for ejection seat and we might have a real shot.

 

[Puneet]

1. Tejas mk1A is not being marketed properly.
2. Still not inducted.
3. Production yet to pick up.
4. It'll take time to prove itself.
5. What's the hurry to export.

 

[NSR]

I wrote many times and I am writing again -
Tejas Mk1A does not have prayer against F-16s at all.

Stop wasting time peddling it and start delivering the fighters ahead of milestones.

Perhaps Tejas Mk 2 will become an hotcake for exports if and when its ready.

 

[Sandeep]

True.IAF used mirage 2000 not even the Sukhoi 30,so IAF does not have much faith in su 30 leave alone Tejas 😊

The Sukhoi jets were escorting and providing security to our mirage jets so they can drop the bomb safely and come back into India.

In that scenario and if we were attacked we would need our Sukhoi jets to carry more air to air missiles for defence rather than carry any air to surface bombs and missiles which would be more dead weight and unnecessary.

 

[sunilanalysis]

Good decision...
I wish more countries reject Tejas, so that HAL/DRDO can first focus on local usage than foreign boasting...

 

[nick]

The phillipines should really buy the Australian F18 original hornets that were decomissioned at the start of covid. These are fully upgraded in 2007 or so and have up to 2000 airframe hours left. They have 44 or so thats perfect number you can use 24 for a squadron and keep the rest for training and spares. Thats the number that the airforce wants anyway. At probably 6 million each you have a jet thats better than a block 52 plus f16 and equal to a chinese j10. It fits the phillipine requirements and there all ready to go now no wait. Us marines still use it and you can put an Aesa super hornet type radar in a small number of them making them almost equal to a super hornet. Get some cheap awacs aircraft from Saab sweeden and then you have an airforce that can do anything. You can upgrade later to super hornet in 2034 with almost no retraining cost. The f18 has more range and payload then a gripen and its more advanced than a mig29 thats the best value for money aircraft you could get cheap on the used market. 2 engines and it can use almost any US weapon plus it can do anything. Its like a really cheap rafale with 90 percent capability at 10 percent the cost. Australia spent huge money upgrading the airframe of these and theres still life left in them. There more modern then a mirage 2000 and more usefull

 

[Nvs rao]

True.IAF used mirage 2000 not even the Sukhoi 30,so IAF does not have much faith in su 30 leave alone Tejas 😊

Sorry for your ignorance
You don't use 60 seater bus for your 4 member family for a trip that same applied in this
There is no need to send this kind of small operation for huge fighter jets
That why mirage sent because lighter fighter jet for small operations
Be educated by reading right books and articles

 

[Dredd]

The Sukhoi jets were escorting and providing security to our mirage jets so they can drop the bomb safely and come back into India.

In that scenario and if we were attacked we would need our Sukhoi jets to carry more air to air missiles for defence rather than carry any air to surface bombs and missiles which would be more dead weight and unnecessary.

Current Sukhoi can't even protect themselves from long range AMRAAM, only saving grace was, they dodged AIM120 fired at them.

 

[kumar]

F16 is a medium weight fighter and can't compare too the likes of tejas, gripes c/d. Philippines might settle for second hand f16. Let's not get carried away. Tejas is the stepping stone in developing our aerospace ecosystem, which no other country will do it for India. As geopolitics has shown time and again, we cant depend on other countries for our defence equipment, with major threat coming from US deep state. Let's focus on building our MIC.
Our Tejas is far better than the chinese jf17 junk fighter and the much hyped US f35 whose availability rates are less than 30% as per US own admission. I bet chinese j20 junks will have similar or less availability over the problems with thier QC.

 

[Sandeep]

The Philippines would most likely choose the F16 jet because its combat capability and technology place it ahead of other competitors. At the same time it makes its logistics, spares, servicing, parts, repair, overhaul and weapon purchases easily and convenient to make.

They will also get access to the latest technology and weapons which makes it easier to make a comprehensive agreement with one country which provides everything instead of having to deal with many companies around the world who provides some equipment, parts or technology which makes it complicated, time consuming and more expensive which is the problem that Gripen and Tejas MK1A face as they have multiple parts and technology with different companies.

 

[Fresh Water]

Buying f-16 would mean an ugly war would be imposed on Philippines sooner than they can imagine. The US will ensure that Philippines would need to buy more from them.

 

[tony]

Philippines has USD 1.1 billion plus US FMF USD 500 that will sum up to USD 1.6 billion
The F16 Block 70 without missiles and spare engines cost around USD 60 to 70 million
say USD 60 x 12 amount to USD 720 million There is still USD 880 million for the spare engines and missiles for Lockhead Martin ( LM) to sort out with Phil Govt.Philippine can get 36 Nos ( 3 squadrons) used F16 Block 52 via Excess Defense Acquisition( EDA) as main ally of US in Asia free of cost only the upgrading by LM to Block 70 that will cost money The estimate for 36 Nos based on Morocco's contract with LM for their Used F16 for upgrade to Block is USD 40 billion each This will amount to Phil Govt USD 40 million x 36 Nos at USD 1.44 billion This amount will be handle by US govt based on her FMF for Phil at USD 500 million per year for 3 years at amount of USD 1.5 Billion.Tje 12 Nos used F16 block 52 will be Hot Transfer to Phil Govt for PAF use while waiting for the new 12 Nos x F16 Block which will be delivered in 3-6 years while the first 24 nos used F16 Block 52 will be upgraded to Block 70 then another 12 nos after 2 years the 24 nos would have completed the upgrade to Block 70

 

[Dr. Saptarishi Chatterjee]

It's so funny and so obvious...why so much analysis..
When we are searching for the GE 404 engine and are in a soup with Tejas MK1A, what else do you expect from any country.

Apna to kuch hua nahi Dusre ko bechne chale the...
I think no one will be interested in any present or future Indian made fighter aircrafts...🙏

 

[Dr. Saptarishi Chatterjee]

ADA/HAL upgrade Tejas-1A with 90+ KN engine, Mac 2.25 speed, increase its endurance in air and combat radius, Nations will line up to buy our Tejas-1A fighter !

Agreed but how is this possible in the current situation...kindly elaborate

 

[Z Jay]

bit surprising that India wants to sell Tejas. India sells Tejas, and say it ends up with India's enemies or even detractors -- then they reverse engineer it and point it back towards India ---
USA, France, Russia -- they sell these things as they have got many variety and always they keep trump card -- engine or spares or some computer chip -- with them. Till India reaches such a state trying to sell is a tactic likely to backfire

 

[dishwasher997]

@browny ever heard of something called radar signature?