LCA TEJAS

I dont understand why media is going ga-ga over LCA TEJAS.In 27 years our DRDO has come up with an "Assembled" jet being claimed as "Indigenous" . GE 404 Jet Engine sourced from US. Super Fladermous radar sourced from Israel and what you have is our very own "TEJAS". I am less than excited. Yes i am being cynical. I am a pessimist. I see the glass half empty because i want it to be full. I am not satisifed because my benchmarks are so fuc**g high!!!

Reason -

(arranged as per global rankings, Indian Air force being 4th largest)

[*]US Air force - No. of fighter jets - 2132

[*]Russian Air force -No. of fighter jets- 1977

[*]Chinese Air force - No. of fighter jets - 1617

[*]Indian Air force -No. of fighter jets- 364

[/list]

and here comes the shocker -

7. Pakistan Air Force- No. of fighter jets - 450

Eurofighter was developed in 22 years F22 Raptor was developed in more than two decades but the quality of the output was the best in the classes in case you want to comapare the time invested in developing a Jet plane. And unlike TEJAS they were 100 percent indigenous!!!

 

[Dhruv Bindhani]

I dont understand why media is going ga-ga over LCA TEJAS.In 27 years our DRDO has come up with an "Assembled" jet being claimed as "Indigenous" . GE 404 Jet Engine sourced from US. Super Fladermous radar sourced from Israel and what you have is our very own "TEJAS". I am less than excited. Yes i am being cynical. I am a pessimist. I see the glass half empty because i want it to be full. I am not satisifed because my benchmarks are so fuc**g high!!!

Reason -

(arranged as per global rankings, Indian Air force being 4th largest)

[*]US Air force - No. of fighter jets - 2132

[*]Russian Air force -No. of fighter jets- 1977

[*]Chinese Air force - No. of fighter jets - 1617

[*]Indian Air force -No. of fighter jets- 364

[/list]

and here comes the shocker -

7. Pakistan Air Force- No. of fighter jets - 450

Eurofighter was developed in 22 years F22 Raptor was developed in more than two decades but the quality of the output was the best in the classes in case you want to comapare the time invested in developing a Jet plane. And unlike TEJAS they were 100 percent indigenous!!!

In the often-murky waters of political commentary, this article shines as a beacon of clarity. The writer's writing style is refreshingly direct and remarkably insightful, capable of distilling even the most convoluted political machinations into understandable terms. It's a voice that not only informs but empowers, cutting through partisan rhetoric to focus on tangible realities. The structure is intuitively logical, carefully organizing arguments and evidence in a way that progressively deepens the reader's understanding of the political issue at hand. This thoughtful arrangement allows for a comprehensive grasp of the intricate relationships between policy, power, and people. Furthermore, the exceptional clarity with which the political arguments are articulated is truly commendable. There's no room for misinterpretation; the issues are presented with such transparent precision that the article serves as an essential guide for navigating and understanding today's political environment.

 

[Simran Rai]

Your frustration is understandable, especially when seen through the lens of global comparisons and national aspirations. The cynicism stems from a deep desire for India to not just catch up but truly lead in defense technology, and the underwhelming headline figures—like the relatively low number of fighter jets or imported components in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas—can make even genuine progress feel inadequate. However, while criticism is healthy, it’s important to balance it with context.


Tejas may not be 100% indigenous, but calling it merely an “assembled” jet overlooks the immense leap it represents for Indian aerospace engineering. India has designed and developed an airframe, flight control systems, avionics integration, and extensive software architecture almost entirely in-house. While the engine (GE F404) and radar (Elta’s Israeli system) are foreign-sourced, so are many components in almost every advanced fighter worldwide—including those of countries with top-ranked air forces. Even the F-35, the U.S.’s flagship jet, uses parts and materials from multiple nations.


What sets Tejas apart is that India now has an indigenous platform that can be iterated upon. Future versions like the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA are already in the pipeline with more advanced systems and greater indigenization targets. Comparing India to the U.S., Russia, or China—nations with massive defense budgets and decades of fighter jet R&D—is aspirational but not entirely equitable. Moreover, the comparison with Pakistan's fleet overlooks qualitative differences and India's broader strategic deterrence through other capabilities.


Yes, the bar should be high. Yes, India must do better in scaling production and pushing toward full self-reliance. But cynicism must leave space for acknowledgment—Tejas is a crucial milestone, not the final destination. Progress, though slow, is being made, and demanding excellence should coexist with recognizing the effort that gets us there.​