Ah!! I would have just put my money on breaking Tejas development away from HAL monopoly and distribute it to consortia in highest bid scenario.
Develop Mk2. Even not sell, then become DcPP of HAL.
Expand Tejas lines, create supply chain quick. Use private sectors ability to bypass govt gridlock. And produce them in big numbers. Like a national mission.
In doing that, mandate in contract.. that the pvt partners ( could be more than one) needs to divert funds to R&D in house, build facilities etc so they can utilise TEJAS learning for AMCA.
So, Mk1A gets fielded in big numbers by 2030. Mk2 in substantial number by 2035 and LSP( not fully) of AMCA by 2035 too.
In meanwhile.. invest huge (oney saved from MRFA, MMRCA) in building AD network ( Sudharshan Chakra pro) , secure data link , quantum communication, QKD, A single meta network encompassing all the networks of tri forces and their sub networks. Will help whole theaterisation too. That's a must. Then comes AWACS, ISTAR, Radars (semicon industry trajectory will have impact on our radar development too) , sensors, Jammers, Secure comms, mass induction of FICVs, ICVs, Transport vehicles, ATAGS, Artillery etc. I believe that's a problem hidden in plain sight. I don't see combat vehicles getting inducted the way they should be, given the civilian sector is pretty mature already.
For Navy, the GOIs shipbuilding plan is long time coming which will have indirect impact on navy's expansion plan. Andaman development can be sped up, Sub base was good surprise, We see increase in ships being made and inducted domestically. So, the trajectory is correct as far as I can see.
Leaves IAFs offensive capability... Which should be built around quantity of Tejas. Expedite a cheaper version of GHATAK whose sole role will be a sucide mission for providing guidance to SOWs, BVRAAMs fired from Tejas deep inside territory or away from enemy detection range.
Ghatak is supposed to be stealthy. So, strip out unnecessary things like offensive capability. See if it can be further finetuned for stealth, detection and jam resistant. It could be the cheaper VLO going into risky airspace on lookout for enemy. Detect, relay fire code, and link with Gandiva to guide it to enemies. A cheaper version( compared to full fledged 5th Gen FA) might even enable eastern theatre to deploy them in larger number across IB.
Correct me if I am wrong or missing any detail which hinders this approach.
As for theaterisation , Forces might be dilly dallying cause with theaterisation, monopoly over procurement decisions will be gone and since the roles be bifurcated b/w CDS and Generals.. CDS office under MoD is likely to bring cohesion in planning including procurement. Taking away many of perks that old bloc might have.
Ofcourse a new bloc will form in theaterisation too, with time. But that's not the old guards concern. Meanwhile, veterans might be opposed to the idea because of nostalgia and the fact that change is uncomfortable. The whole culture starting from recruitment, NDA , studies, training will be changed. Not limited to IAF.
The complex web of powerplay inside remains away from public eyes. I won't doubt if there are some "agents" at lower level, trying to sow some idea in a superior or the connection with congress ecosystem which is very likely a part of the old guard too.
Just an idle mans thought. Take it with a pinch of pepper if you must.
. With 108KN dry and 158KN wet thrust, MKI UPG. would match even F-22 Raptor in kinematics
