SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) quest for a robust, modern fighter jet fleet has been a topic of intense discussion, particularly with regards to the Tejas MkII. While officially designed as a 4.5 generation fighter, a significant portion of the defense community on X has argued that the Tejas MkII should have been developed as a single-engined, fifth-generation stealth fighter, drawing inspiration from the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
Proponents argue that a single-engine design would significantly reduce costs compared to the twin-engine configuration of the AMCA. This would not only make the aircraft more affordable for the IAF but potentially increase its export appeal in the international market.
By leveraging the AMCA’s stealth technology, design elements, and possibly its avionics, the Tejas MkII could have benefited from shared development efforts, reducing R&D expenses and ensuring that both aircraft could share a similar operational philosophy. This would streamline training, maintenance, and logistics within the IAF.
A stealth-capable Tejas MkII could have served dual purposes, addressing both the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) or MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) requirements and providing a stopgap solution for a fifth-generation fighter until the AMCA becomes fully operational. This would have been a strategic move to tackle the IAF’s need for both quantity and quality in its fighter fleet.
The Tejas MkII, as it stands, is progressing as a 4.5 generation fighter, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of the existing Tejas platform with better avionics, more powerful engines, and increased payload capacity. Meanwhile, the AMCA continues its development as India’s primary fifth-generation fighter project, aiming for stealth, supercruise, and advanced combat systems.
The discourse on X reflects a broader debate within India’s defense community about the optimal path for national fighter jet development. While the idea of a single-engined, fifth-generation Tejas MkII is appealing for its potential to address multiple operational needs efficiently, the reality of aerospace development, with its technical, fiscal, and strategic considerations, suggests a more cautious, incremental approach.