SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program is poised to reach a significant milestone later this year with the completion of its Preliminary Design Review (PDR). According to sources cited by idrw.org during Aero India 2025, the PDR for the TEDBF design—showcased as a scale model at the event—will be finalized by the end of June 2025. This marks a critical step forward for the indigenous naval fighter jet, being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with the Indian Navy to meet the operational demands of India’s aircraft carriers.
The TEDBF, envisioned as a carrier-capable, twin-engine multirole fighter, is designed to replace the aging MiG-29K fleet and complement the naval variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Navy). With the PDR nearing completion, the program is gaining momentum, setting the stage for subsequent phases that promise to accelerate India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology.
The PDR is a pivotal phase in any aerospace program, as it validates the feasibility of the proposed design against operational requirements. For the TEDBF, this review assesses the scale model’s aerodynamic configuration, structural integrity, and systems integration as showcased at Aero India 2025. The design incorporates a delta-wing configuration with canards, optimized for carrier operations, and is powered by two General Electric F414 engines, delivering a thrust of approximately 98 kN each. This setup ensures the TEDBF can achieve the performance levels required for catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) operations on India’s indigenous aircraft carriers, such as INS Vikrant and the planned INS Vishal.
ADA officials, speaking at Aero India 2025, expressed confidence that the PDR will be completed on schedule by June 2025. The successful conclusion of this phase will lock in the baseline design, allowing the team to transition to the next critical stage: the Critical Design Review (CDR).
Following the PDR, the focus will shift to the CDR, which involves a detailed evaluation of the fighter’s subsystems, manufacturing processes, and performance specifications. ADA officials are optimistic that the CDR will be completed before the end of 2026. This phase will refine the TEDBF’s design, ensuring it meets the Navy’s stringent requirements for payload capacity, endurance, and combat capability.
Once the CDR is cleared, the program will move toward securing approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), a crucial step for funding and production authorization. Sources indicate that CCS clearance is expected by 2027, paving the way for prototype development. If the timeline holds, the TEDBF’s first flight is projected for 2030—an ambitious yet achievable target, given the experience gained from the LCA program.
The Indian Navy aims to induct at least 45 TEDBF aircraft to equip its carrier air wings, ensuring operational synergy with the Rafale-M fighters recently acquired from France. Unlike the single-engine LCA Navy, which faced limitations in payload and range, the twin-engine TEDBF With a planned maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of around 26 tons, the fighter will carry advanced avionics, an indigenous AESA radar (likely the Uttam), and a mix of beyond-visual-range (BVR) and close-combat missiles, including the Astra and MICA. Its design emphasizes stealth features, such as radar-absorbent materials and a reduced radar cross-section, making it a formidable asset for a maritime strike and air defence roles.
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