SOURCE: TUSHKAR SHIRODKAR / FOR MY TAKE / IDRW.ORG
India has started re-designing its initial concept for Tejas’ Mark-2 which now will be classified as Medium Weight Fighter (MWF) and even might get a new name to avoid confusion with the LCA-Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has been tasked to upgrade the previous concept of Mark-2 into MWF by end of 2018.
Mark-2 MWF Concept was speculated to break cover at upcoming Aero India 2019 which will begin next month but till now both IAF and ADA has maintained tactical silence on MWF, leading to speculation and confusions if the concept eventually will be unveiled for the first time at India’s premier Airshow exhibition.
Mark-2 MWF Concept according to media reports will be classified as medium weight fighter due to its increased weight and weapon carrying capacity. MWF is expected to have a maximum take-off weight of 17.5 tonnes with an improvement of over 85% in weapons and payload when compared with LCA-Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A which has MTOW of 13.5 tonnes.
Mark-2 MWF will continue to have the legacy LCA-Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A design elements which will be powered by single F414-GE-INS6 engine supplied by General Electric which has already started to arrive in India from 2017 on wards. MWF will exceed the performance of Upgraded Mirage-2000 when Inducted into air force but actually will replace Mig-29 first. MWF will also be replacing Jaguar fighter-Bomber which are due to be retired from service from 2034 on wards.