SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant step forward for India’s indigenous fighter jet development, the Government of India has approved the manufacturing of an assembly jig tailored for integrating a retractable in-flight refueling probe into the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2, also known as the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF). This approval, announced in February 2025, paves the way for the detailed design and manufacturing of the assembly jig, specifically for the retractable Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) probe module within the front fuselage of the LCA AF Mk2. Following this decision, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has initiated the procurement process, collaborating with the Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to bring this critical component to life.
The assembly jig, a specialized fixture used to align and assemble complex aircraft components with precision, is pivotal for integrating the retractable AAR probe into the Mk2’s front fuselage. Unlike the fixed Cobham-supplied probes on earlier Tejas variants, the retractable telescopic probe—based on a Probe and Drogue system—reduces aerodynamic drag when not in use, improving fuel efficiency and stealth characteristics.
The jig’s design and manufacturing will leverage advanced tools like CATIA 5 software, already in use for the Mk2’s airframe construction, ensuring seamless integration with the jet’s modular build process. This approach, seen during Air Marshal R.K.S. Rajkumar’s January 2025 visit to HAL’s fixed-wing design bureau, reflects a shift from the serial assembly of the Mk1 to a more efficient, jig-based modular workflow. The retractable probe module, once installed, will enable mid-air refueling from IAF tankers like the IL-78, extending the Mk2’s combat radius beyond its current 500-600 km—potentially doubling its mission endurance to over 120 minutes.
This approval aligns with the broader ?10,000 crore LCA Mk2 project, sanctioned in 2022, which aims for a first flight by late 2025 or early 2026 and operational induction by 2028. The retractable AAR probe is one of several upgrades—alongside an indigenous Uttam AESA radar, increased indigenous content (targeting 82% initially), and a reduced frontal Radar Cross Section (RCS)—positioning the Mk2 as a 4.5-generation fighter with 5.5-generation aspirations. The IAF’s commitment to six squadrons underscores its faith in the platform as a multirole workhorse.
The move also responds to lessons from the Mk1 program, where delays in testing and integration slowed deployment. By approving the jig’s development now, with 55% of the first prototype already manufactured (as reported at Aero India 2025), the government ensures that HAL can accelerate assembly once the GE F414 engines arrive—expected in late 2025.
Against Pakistan’s JF-17s or China’s J-20s, the Mk2’s extended range via in-flight refueling offers a tactical edge, enabling sustained operations over contested zones like Ladakh or the LoC. Unlike larger UAVs or bombers, the Mk2’s agility paired with this endurance could disrupt adversary planning, especially in high-altitude theaters where refueling is logistically challenging.
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