SOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence company, is set to roll out the prototype of the much-anticipated Tejas MkII later this year, between November and December. However, in a departure from tradition, HAL has decided to forego the usual pomp and circumstance associated with such milestones. Sources speaking to idrw.org at Aero India 2025 confirmed that there will be no rollout ceremony, and neither media nor VVIPs will be invited to the event.
The decision to avoid fanfare reflects HAL’s focus on the operational readiness and performance of the Tejas MkII rather than on the ceremonial aspects. The rollout will be a technical milestone to prepare for the rigorous testing phases ahead.
Following the rollout, the next critical step will be the engine ground runs, where the aircraft’s powerplant will be tested for performance and reliability. After successful ground runs, the aircraft will undergo taxi trials to ensure that all systems work seamlessly during movement on the ground.
The sources indicated that the first flight of the Tejas MkII is projected to occur before the mid of 2026. This timeline allows for thorough preparation and testing, ensuring that the aircraft meets all safety and performance criteria before its maiden flight.
Between the rollout and the first flight, HAL will focus on integrating and testing all onboard systems, from avionics to flight controls, ensuring everything is flight-ready. Once the aircraft completes its first flight and subsequent test phases, HAL plans to invite media and stakeholders, possibly for a more significant event, highlighting the aircraft’s capabilities and the progress of India’s indigenous fighter jet program.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.