Posted on 01/20/2011 8:18:46 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
India's homegrown fighter jet, the Tejas, has finally been cleared for operations but analysts say any celebration of India's entry into an elite club of military hardware producers is premature.
Initial operational approval for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has taken 26 years -- the result of endless developmental delays, technological hiccups and massive cost overruns.
First conceived as a direct replacement for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) ageing fleet of Russian-made MiG-21s -- tagged "flying coffins" for their abysmal safety record -- the LCA was hyped as a milestone in India's bid to reduce its dependency on military imports.
Although conceived, designed and assembled in India, its "indigenous" label is somewhat misleading as 40 percent of its components are foreign-made, including the radar and US-built engine.
Formal induction of the Tejas is still two or three years away, and questions remain over its eventual suitability.
"Only after the aircraft is put in use by the pilots will its strength and limitations become clear," said Ajey Lele, a Research Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
Tejas?
Don’t name it after us pardner.
Tejas?
Don’t name it after us pardner.
Flying coffins? Isn’t that what the old Brewster Buffalos were called?
In short, it's specs remind one of a wonderful 1980 "Day Fighter." Not necessarily a bad thing. Go for it! Save up for F-22s.
THATS MIG 21 lol
No way, José. That's a Folland Gnat as redesigned by Dassault. It looks tremendously sporty and I want to place my order.
www.warbirdalley.com/gnat.htm - Cached - Similar
To the Indians I say, "Welly Good!"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.