Hindu 'LCA' as an example:

Govt of Indira gandhi(still alive back)in 1983 told Dr.Dodo that the hindu airforce men need pies(fighters). Dr.Dodo realised he couldn't bake, so he told Indira, "Madame, how about pies in the sky(LCA,supposed to be in the same class of F-16)? Pls be reminded that our flyboys prefer munching croissants in gay Paree instead of curry pies.."

Now 36 years later, Dr.Dodo only managed to 'made' a few(8?) LCA (with critical components all imported), at cost per plane more than Su30s imported from Russia; Modi complained to Dr.Dodo: "Why so late, so few, so little indigenous tech and so expensive?". Dr.Dodo replied:"Well, these are pies from the sky and don't blame us". The Rakshaks of Bharat also jump into the chorus saying how unpatriotic if the hindu airforces wouldn't order 1000 of these expensive holy BS patties, for fear of pies in the sky becoming pies in the face.

Imagine, say, a PHD from one of the better hindu colleges at age 27 hired by Dr.Dodo back in 1983 to work on the LCA; now he's probably happily retired.

A few years ago, I read the hindu airforce still needed to import mig21 spare parts

..........

The 'made in india' engine for LCA is even more baffling, it's supposed to be the same class as the yankie F404 in F18. BTW, french Mirage 2k is said to be the most valued mid-size jet in the hindu airforce. Yet the mirage2k is powered by M53(single shaft, pressure ratio < 10:1), 1.5 to 2 gens behind the F100 used in the yankie F-16, yet the mirage 2k, due to its good design can still compete with the F-16. Why Dr.Dodo didn't try to bake the curry flavoured M53 pies but instead went for pies in the sky likely was due to the same establishment interest as listed above.