Breaking into the big boys club of Defence aviation will be a huge task indeed, but we have commenced are journey for sure and we will get there. Thanks for the update on Tejas.
Thank you for your thoughts. Since you saw it live you would appreciate its claims as a world class LCA. Absolutely, it is a start. It also helps that India has begun to exert itself diplomatically by taking up positions on global issues--especially climate change. These may be intangible for most but do contribute in creating the buzz around Indian products. Fingers crossed.
At the outset,let me congratulate you for covering such an interesting topic. I must begin by complimenting you on the heading . It is indeed A flight of Ambition. What may sound like a mundane Make in India has so many aspects to it. Initially one had imagined that the term would cover items indigenous to India like handlooms and artifacts. The concept was mainly to encourage the rural population and be proud of our culture. To not be enamoured by only foreign brands but also be proud of products made in our own country.
It's such a leap of confidence to be able to make aircrafts, missiles, spaceships and so on. Really the sky is the limit for a programme which started from the grassroots level. How apt it is that we should feature in what is the future of Aerospace Industry. We may be looking to step up defence exports and it's a matter of time. Considering that we can deliver superior quality at lesser cost- the Covid vaccines being just one such example. We needn't be disheartened if no deal was inked. We may not have great exports to boast about yet but we can surely become self-sufficient in a few years from now. Isn't that something to be very proud of?
Thanks a lot for the awesome video. It was a breathtaking visual. It's almost like being there and being mesmerized by the splendid manoeuvers. Just like the Tejas, may our country also scale great heights.
Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation. Means a lot.
You have so correctly covered the new arc of indigenisation--state of the art products--and how it is inspiring national self confidence. Earlier Isro was a sole success; later India's IT industry carved itself an enviable niche. In the last decade and more this has begun to spread to all sectors, including seeming untouchables like defence--India also designed and manufactured its own aircraft carrier Vikrant.
Nothing succeeds like success as they say.
Glad you liked the video. It was great to watch it live too.
High tech and high value products like Fighter Jets and long range missiles take time for acceptance, in the international markets. Testing the capabilities in real time situations is an exception and products are acquired on the credible available information, reputation and past records. India has recently become only the 4th nation to have landed an indigenous spacecraft on the moon and this may enhance their credibility as a reliable fighter aircraft supplier. Moreover, the costs of procurement from the US or European manufacturers may be prohibitive for smaller African, South American and other 3rd world countries. The gutsy and affordable Tejas may just fit the bill for the requirements. The induction of the aircraft in IAF will also be a reassuring factor and will perhaps give a boost to it's procurement, considering the IAF is sqaring
Thank you for your thoughts and flagging the exceptional capability India demonstrated by landing a Made in India craft on the moon. Only reinforces the feeling: Yes, we can. Agree with you about the need to creating strategic independence in these difficult times.
Very interesting and informative article.Fighter plane development is a huge step forward in technology which is mastered by very few countries.With Tejas we have made a start and it is an indicator to the world what India is capable of!!
It will hopefully. slowly replace MiG -21 and Sukhoi aircrafts and help in modernization of our defence. Though countries have shown interest, we have not been able to get any export orders as yet.
Brahmos I think has been purchased by Phillipines.
1. Tejas has been a wonderful achievement for our Atma Bharat dreams. Having proved its capability as Mak1 or Mak1a, we should now fully focus on its further versions like Mark II, TBDF, LIFT etc. and AMCA using the ecosystem already developed. It should not matter if we have to import some components ( aero engines etc.) as we build newer versions. Thanks to Manohar Parikar, Tejas turned the tables on the pro import lobbies in the Air Force as well as in political parties. Not only the aircraft but the weapon load it carries is amazing 2. We should not go for MRFA now but work hard our products. If required, we should lease in emergencies Rafales or Su30s from friendly countries. 3. While we should try to export it, that should not be our main focus. Export market is quite difficult as it is and we do not have our own engine as yet! 3. Overall, it must be said that in last 10 Modi years, we have broken the import lobby, made Armed Forces forget import as the first option, destroyed the lobbyist agent ecosystem and associated corruption. And DRDO and HAL delivered! We are now in a sweet spot and must build up further to emerge as a strong defense equipment manufacturer by 2047!!
Thank you for your informed thoughts. You are spot on as usual.
Agree with you that the last 10 years has been a real makeover for defence. Not just its make up but the entire approach to defending the country. Nothing succeeds like success. Tejas is a great example. It was long ignored, till Parrikar put his weight behind it.
I have had an opportunity to see it live at the Aero India, Yellahanka, the last time the show was held.
Breaking into the big boys club of Defence aviation will be a huge task indeed, but we have commenced are journey for sure and we will get there. Thanks for the update on Tejas.
Dear Rajiv,
Thank you for your thoughts. Since you saw it live you would appreciate its claims as a world class LCA. Absolutely, it is a start. It also helps that India has begun to exert itself diplomatically by taking up positions on global issues--especially climate change. These may be intangible for most but do contribute in creating the buzz around Indian products. Fingers crossed.
Best
Anil
Dear Anil
At the outset,let me congratulate you for covering such an interesting topic. I must begin by complimenting you on the heading . It is indeed A flight of Ambition. What may sound like a mundane Make in India has so many aspects to it. Initially one had imagined that the term would cover items indigenous to India like handlooms and artifacts. The concept was mainly to encourage the rural population and be proud of our culture. To not be enamoured by only foreign brands but also be proud of products made in our own country.
It's such a leap of confidence to be able to make aircrafts, missiles, spaceships and so on. Really the sky is the limit for a programme which started from the grassroots level. How apt it is that we should feature in what is the future of Aerospace Industry. We may be looking to step up defence exports and it's a matter of time. Considering that we can deliver superior quality at lesser cost- the Covid vaccines being just one such example. We needn't be disheartened if no deal was inked. We may not have great exports to boast about yet but we can surely become self-sufficient in a few years from now. Isn't that something to be very proud of?
Thanks a lot for the awesome video. It was a breathtaking visual. It's almost like being there and being mesmerized by the splendid manoeuvers. Just like the Tejas, may our country also scale great heights.
Dear Ranjini,
Thank you so much for your kind words of appreciation. Means a lot.
You have so correctly covered the new arc of indigenisation--state of the art products--and how it is inspiring national self confidence. Earlier Isro was a sole success; later India's IT industry carved itself an enviable niche. In the last decade and more this has begun to spread to all sectors, including seeming untouchables like defence--India also designed and manufactured its own aircraft carrier Vikrant.
Nothing succeeds like success as they say.
Glad you liked the video. It was great to watch it live too.
Looking forward to your continued participation.
Best
Anil
up with adversaries like China and Pakistan. Weapons and armaments exports is perhaps the most ambitious program initiated by this government.
True Gautam.
High tech and high value products like Fighter Jets and long range missiles take time for acceptance, in the international markets. Testing the capabilities in real time situations is an exception and products are acquired on the credible available information, reputation and past records. India has recently become only the 4th nation to have landed an indigenous spacecraft on the moon and this may enhance their credibility as a reliable fighter aircraft supplier. Moreover, the costs of procurement from the US or European manufacturers may be prohibitive for smaller African, South American and other 3rd world countries. The gutsy and affordable Tejas may just fit the bill for the requirements. The induction of the aircraft in IAF will also be a reassuring factor and will perhaps give a boost to it's procurement, considering the IAF is sqaring
Dear Gautam,
Thank you for your thoughts and flagging the exceptional capability India demonstrated by landing a Made in India craft on the moon. Only reinforces the feeling: Yes, we can. Agree with you about the need to creating strategic independence in these difficult times.
Look forward to your continued participation.
Best
Anil
Dear Anil,
Very interesting and informative article.Fighter plane development is a huge step forward in technology which is mastered by very few countries.With Tejas we have made a start and it is an indicator to the world what India is capable of!!
It will hopefully. slowly replace MiG -21 and Sukhoi aircrafts and help in modernization of our defence. Though countries have shown interest, we have not been able to get any export orders as yet.
Brahmos I think has been purchased by Phillipines.
Dear Vandana,
Thank you for your thoughts. Share your optimism on the phase out of the old aircraft.
Yes, you are right. Philippines has purchased the BrahMos. It lends hope that they will follow through with Tejas too.
Best
Anil
1. Tejas has been a wonderful achievement for our Atma Bharat dreams. Having proved its capability as Mak1 or Mak1a, we should now fully focus on its further versions like Mark II, TBDF, LIFT etc. and AMCA using the ecosystem already developed. It should not matter if we have to import some components ( aero engines etc.) as we build newer versions. Thanks to Manohar Parikar, Tejas turned the tables on the pro import lobbies in the Air Force as well as in political parties. Not only the aircraft but the weapon load it carries is amazing 2. We should not go for MRFA now but work hard our products. If required, we should lease in emergencies Rafales or Su30s from friendly countries. 3. While we should try to export it, that should not be our main focus. Export market is quite difficult as it is and we do not have our own engine as yet! 3. Overall, it must be said that in last 10 Modi years, we have broken the import lobby, made Armed Forces forget import as the first option, destroyed the lobbyist agent ecosystem and associated corruption. And DRDO and HAL delivered! We are now in a sweet spot and must build up further to emerge as a strong defense equipment manufacturer by 2047!!
Dear Surendra,
Thank you for your informed thoughts. You are spot on as usual.
Agree with you that the last 10 years has been a real makeover for defence. Not just its make up but the entire approach to defending the country. Nothing succeeds like success. Tejas is a great example. It was long ignored, till Parrikar put his weight behind it.
Look forward to your continued participation.
Best
Anil