Tejas Trainer Program Gains Momentum: Sixth Aircraft Nears Delivery

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) commitment to bolstering its training capabilities with the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas continues to materialize, with the recent sighting of the sixth Tejas trainer at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) production facility.

Images of the Tejas trainer, designated LT 5206, indicate the aircraft is in the final stages of assembly. This marks a significant milestone following the delivery of the first twin-seater trainer (LT 5201) to the IAF in October 2023.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1770772352013369461

These specialized trainers are designed to facilitate smoother pilot transition within IAF squadrons, prior to their assignment to the advanced single-seater Tejas Mk1A fighter.

Notably, an additional trainer, LT 5205, appears ready for delivery and is likely undergoing pre-flight taxi trials. These developments suggest a steady ramp-up of the Tejas trainer program.

The IAF has committed to acquiring 18 LCA Tejas twin-seater trainers. This strategic investment ensures that pilots converting from legacy aircraft will have access to a training platform tailored to the complexities of the Tejas Mk1A.

The growth of the IAF's Tejas trainer fleet underscores India's dedication to achieving self-reliance in pilot training, using its own domestically developed fighter aircraft.

By providing a seamless conversion path, the Tejas trainer will play a pivotal role in preparing a new generation of pilots for the IAF's future fleet of single-seater Tejas Mk1A fighters.

 

[NSR]

Dassault is not owned by the French government in any way, shape or form.

It is a long story.
It used to own and it transferred its shares to Aerospatiale (EADS) and then to Airbus.

"Between 1977 and 1981 the French government accumulated a 45.76 percent interest in Dassault, which it transferred to the French aerospace firm Aerospatiale (a forerunner of EADS) in 1998.Mar 8, 2024"

 

[Saptarshi Ray]

I say it is right time to bring in a Private Company to establish another manufacturing plant to produce Tejas IA at maximum possible rate and give some competition to HAL.
HAL surely needs to adapt itself to work like Dassault which is also owned by French government and private equity.

India will not be able to meet the milestones of so many fighter development and manufacturing without changing the public companies practices.

Why do you write nonsense, French govt owning Dassault!!?

 

[NSR]

Why do you write nonsense, French govt owning Dassault!!?

Read on ...

It is a long story.
It used to own and it transferred its shares to Aerospatiale (EADS) and then to Airbus.

"Between 1977 and 1981 the French government accumulated a 45.76 percent interest in Dassault, which it transferred to the French aerospace firm Aerospatiale (a forerunner of EADS) in 1998.Mar 8, 2024"

 

[Saptarshi Ray]

Read on ...

It is a long story.
It used to own and it transferred its shares to Aerospatiale (EADS) and then to Airbus.

"Between 1977 and 1981 the French government accumulated a 45.76 percent interest in Dassault, which it transferred to the French aerospace firm Aerospatiale (a forerunner of EADS) in 1998.Mar 8, 2024"

It's an old story of 1979 when they acquired 20% share, and in that case every defense industry was nationalised by the French after the second World War. Doesn't matter now.

 

[Saptarshi Ray]

He specifically said that more sessions are needed and they are ADA and HAL’s job and they have not been held. So that’s a direct indictment of those 2. He specifically said that those sessions are needed.

You are totally wrong, whatever said and done it's the job of the govt to egg on private players in defense industries. HAL can only hand hold them on the instructions of govt.

 

[Saptarshi Ray]

Of course just one step is not the solution. A lot of things have to happen before and after it. And you assume that the step will be taken with an intention of success.

But not doing what is needed clearly shows that ADA and HAL had the express intention of keeping the private players out and not letting SPV succeed.

HAL and ADA are not autonomous organizations, they work under the govt, they don't have the power to keep anybody out.

 

[BCharlie]

PIB release, the official source for all government information, mentioned 3 mk1a by 3 Feb 2024.

Sirji, even One is a big ask; If it finally is done in 2024 instead of 2034.. its OK;

 

[Saptarshi Ray]

Let’s forget the speicifica for a bit. Isn’t it undeniable that HAL has missed the deadline and must be severely punished for it? Heads should roll for this u acceptable delay?

Why do you people argue so much, it becomes boring. Give us some new information, so we all get wiser.

 

[Saptarshi Ray]

Because MK1a is the first jet of its class and it has many new components, most of which are indigenous. Cannot compare to rafale, which dassault has been building for years.

Regarding that reliance shipyard, reliance (anil ambani) had boight that shipyard after it had received the orders. But then reliance itself sank and shipyard also sank. The delay was very heavy and not even 1 ship out of 5 was delivered, and 2 more years later when deliverieas still not done, the contract was cancelled.

You cant compare a bankrupt company incapable of making delivery to HAL.

Absolutely right, there were many problems because of the policy of indigenous components and upgrades and covid

 

[Akhil]

You are the old dog’s tail which won’t straighten.

HAL is charging exorbitant profits. No one had to spare any profits. They would have received windfall gains. Anyone, literally anyone in the world, can do a better job than HAL. HAL is the only one destroying our entire MIC. They are the curse on our armed forces. That’s what they are. Just wasting thousands of crores and not letting others grow either. They have had decades to grow but they simply refuse to work.

If that is so, then where is private alternative to HAL's project?

Where is private alternative to Tejas, Kaveri engine, private HALE, MALE, Tank?
Adani Drishti? K9 Vajra? Mahindra WhaP? Tata WhaP? L&T WhaP? Are these your indigenous private alternatives? Name me one project which showcases world class R&D by Indian private sector. Better thank the universe we have DRDO which you curse for most of them. Or half of them are literal foreign tech being manufactured here.

Tata, Mahindra have been heavy vehicle manufacturing engine for decades. Where is their R&D on drone engine, forget about jet engine. You are completely deluded mate. Our research labs & HAL are handholding them like little kids. And you think they can replace HAL and DRDO now. Wow!

 

[NSR]

It's an old story of 1979 when they acquired 20% share, and in that case every defense industry was nationalised by the French after the second World War. Doesn't matter now.

Don't argue and research and learn.
French government is tightly involved in Airbus, Dassault, Safran, etc all of its defense businesses in one way or other.
They keep them floated all the times.