Delay in AMCA program and scepticism over the ability of ADA

Foreign Collaborations on AMCA?

There are some concerning news coming related to the India’s indigenous fighter jet program. Talking to BuisnessWorld in an interview, The Chief of Indian Airforce said : “Considering the timelines and niche technologies being looked at for AMCA, it would be prudent to have a back-up development/realisation plan in place to ensure availability of alternative systems and sensors in case indigenous plans fail to mature as per planned timelines”.

His statement was in response to the question on whether the IAF wants scope for foreign collaborations in the AMCA programme in areas other than jet engine technology. 

As per the report, CAS expressed his full support for the indigenous program but flagged the IAF’s deep concern and scepticism over the ability of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the DRDO and HAL to deliver on key indigenous fighter aircraft programmes on time.

IAF Chief has advised “prudence” of foreign tie-ups as a back-up for development of “alternative systems and sensors” just in case the indigenous effort slips on deadlines. 

He also expressed his concern related to the LCA Mark-2 timeline. Readiness for flight testing of LCA Mark-2 is expected by 2024 followed by induction from 2030-31. As per CAS, this is an aggressive timeline, and we hope that ADA and HAL will be able to meet it.

These were the exact statements from the CAS interview, and it was important to present them as it is in order to avoid the misinterpretation.

CAS has basically highlighted three important points here: 1. Delay in the development of niche technologies where there is need of foreign collaborations, 2. Delay in the indigenous program i.e., AMCA & LCA Mark-2 and 3. The timeline for LCA Mark-2 is aggressive.

Challenges of IAF

MRFA – an opportunity not to be missed

In my opinion one of the solution to this whole delay in the fighter program and declining fighter jet squadrons is MRFA. The CAS has been quite vocal about it and has stressed multiple times that MRFA is being pursued by IAF, though the historical timelines of this program which dates decades back highlights the bureaucratic hurdles in our defence acquisition process. However, government and Air Force drive this program on war scale, we would be able to see the fighter jets coming out of this program in next 3-4 years. Again, this is very optimistic timeline and only possible if the MRFA program gets the enough momentum as required. The billion-dollar program for the 6 squadron of the fighter jets is a huge opportunity for foreign OEMs. India can negotiate with foreign OEM for the collaboration on development of niche technologies that could be used for 5th generation fighter jet program. At the same time private players who will be involved in the production should also be engaged in R&D in aircraft design. At present this area is dominated by ADA and HAL. The addition of 6 squadrons of next generation fighter jet such as Rafale F4 will be give ADA the time it needs to develop indigenous fighter jets.

Super Sukhoi upgrade

At the same time the Super-Sukhoi upgrade need to be expedited with new Engine and Uttam AESA radar. The new Russian engine AL-41F-1S ENGINE generates a thrust of 132Kn with after burner which is 16% more thrust than the existing AL-31 FP engine.

Conclusion

If we have to summarize, IAF should prioritize the Super Sukhoi Upgrade and MRFA program. 13 Squadrons of upgraded SU-30 MKI, 6 squadrons of MRFA fighter, 2 squadrons of Rafale and 83 LCA Makr-1A will add significant power punch to IAF to tackle the PLA and Pakistan Air force. Government must increase the stake of private players & foreign OEMs in the development of niche technologies that will be used in AMCA and LCA Mark-2.

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Music: Eternal Garden - Dan Henig

[ankushhardy]

IAF's love for foreign fighters is well known....

[girishg]

If IAF is so concerned about development, it should get its own hands dirty & start its own design bureau like Navy did.

[Blinkxworld]

Our current govts heavy emphasis on becoming atmanirbhar on development and manufacturing of each and every defence equipment is pretty unrealistic to say the least, even US cant boast of being completely self reliant on that.

[pradeeppatil]

The same old tactic by IAF to favour foreign aircraft and eat commission. Were they (IAF) sleeping for so many years ?? Why they suddenly thought of foreign developers ?? Should they not had provisions from the start when they clearly knew the shortcoming at the start !! How come one fine day you realise that we have 3 program and there could be delay ?? Look how much delay you (IAF) make to just decide how many and which fighters you want to buy ?? Does that take 20 years to decide ?? I squarly blame the IAF for all this mess !! They keep doing the same old mistake again and again and again and

[tathagatabasu]

Before blaming ADA out CAS should think about his department... Where is MMRCA... In 7-8 years IAF can't able to issue the RFP also... Look at PAF, they induct more than 200 jf-17 and our IAF taking 5 years for price negotiation for LCA mk1a and after that place only 83 nos.. why... When our LCA is much better to than all migs except mig-29.. and better than jaguar.. then why only 83.. it should and it must place order of be around 150 and ask hal to deliver all by 2028-2029..

[arunavaroy]

India should upgrade sukhoi immediately to take care of contingencies

[cp_pdn]

I agree that HAL / ADA is slow at the same time ... the Air Force / Army etc are also equally slow

[ashokkandimalla]

An excellent no-nonsense analysis without emotions or bias!

I always had this doubt of ADA and HAL are biting more they can chew. Regardless of that, it is always sensible to have a plan B, especially in systems as complex as these. The CAS might have had in this mind. After all he and his boys are the end users. And he has talked about plan B only for system and not the whole a/c.

It might be prudent for us look at the timelines of F-35. It was the 4th stealth plane that the US developed - F-117, B-2 and F-22 and yet it took years or even more than a decade to get it fully operational (even today there are several reported shortcomings). The XF-35 prototype (more proof of concept) first flew in 2000 and the pre-production version 2006. It was only in 2015 it entered the squadron service. These are the dates I picked up from public domain and gives us an idea of the timelines. The AMCA schedule is to the best of my knowledge seems to be having shorter timelines and this might have triggered some apprehension in the minds of people who will actually fly them.

I will not be talking about the timelines of our earlier attempts to build fighter aircraft as I presume and hope that those inordinate delays are a thing of past (though LCA Mk2 is reportedly delayed) and we are better now.

Nevertheless we will be introducing many new technologies for the first time and we should expect some technical problems. Your views welcome.

[ananyasain]

Someone Will Say That Someone Who Wants To Eat Some Commission That's Why It Was Delayed But AMCA'S Some Sub Systems Were Not Made Properly Within The Timeline And Some Still Unfinished That's Our Airchief Marshal VR Chaudhury Said In Recent Meeting With News Channels We Should Now Go With Foreign Partner As Our Squadron Strength Is Decreasing That's Why We Now Have To Aquire Some AMCA Platforms.
सत्यमेव जयते 🇮🇳🇮🇳🙏🙏.

[kunalpandey]

It seems IAF is making case or 114 aircraft.
I believe best option would have been to order 36 + 36 Rafales. And focus on indegenious programs.

[objectsmedia]

These kickback system has to be uprooted with horrible price to pay for whoever indulge in these ways.

[edwardtang]

comparing with China creates an illusion that India is in the same league. 🤣 5th gen jet costs more than a trillion dollars! India doesn't have the budget. 🤣🤣🤣

[sarants]

IAF dosent trust ADA and HAL...and if you look at their track record you can't blame IAF

[rithickchowdhury]

This is lobbying..plain and simple...here we have our own iaf chief questioning our development capabilities... every problem has one solution for these guys.. let's import 🎉...if squadron strength was so important they wouldn't have taken a decade to even release a RFI for the MRFA programme 😆

[prashantsarang]

Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative is fine at it's place but IAF had given the requirement for the replacement of the Aircrafts almost a decade back. When the MRFA tender was floated? Still it"s not being finalised and won"t be for another 2 years because Govt. is pushing for "Aatmanirbhar Bharat". Govt. is indirectly forcing IAF to opt for Indian Fighters. When Rafale deal was made, what was IAF requirement? But only 36 were purchased, why? God forbid, if India is forced to engage in two-front war, they'll still need to fight with those "flying coffin". AMCA can be inducted earluest in 2032, by that time US, China, Russia, UK will be inducting 7th gen fighters in their fleet.

What's more important? "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" or our soil's/mother land's security?

[ashishbabu]

Stupidity of ADA-DRDO is clear with them running 3 different fighter program...they should have combined tedbf and tejas mk2...ORCA should have been there not lca mk2...for single engine fighters they could have went for more lca mk1a

[eternal]

This is why i recently commended that india actually needs a private company which makes aircrafts like stealth on time rather than lazy hal.

If there's a competition then hal will work like robots.
Plus idk why airforce is like this behaviour and rejecting others and taking a lot of time in making decisions between fa 18 and rafale. Wth is this. I'm loosing my spirit because of it.

Man i wish I can see amca mark 1 on 2025🙏

[purushottam]

Bas Su-HAL FGFA pe chup chap sign karna tha baki ka Russia dekh leta.😁 Russians knew the capability of HAL very well, that's why they refused to give more work share to HAL. Aaj FGFA udd rha hota. Fir FUFA, NANA, CHACHA sab banane ke liye time mil jaata. 🤣🤣BTW ab kehne sunne ka time gya, jaldi se AMCA lao ab kuch na bolo, nhi to 114 Rafale le lo aur mooh band karo.

[kuralovien]

We should let private companies in the defence sector, we all know how good our PSUs can be.

[maverick]

Mrfa is the only way forward as it will get help for amca too