SOURCE: AFI
India’s quest for aerial dominance takes a new turn with the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program. This indigenous project, spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), will see a next-generation fighter jet specifically designed for India’s aircraft carriers.
The TEDBF is tasked with replacing the aging and accident-prone MiG-29K currently deployed on the INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. But unlike its predecessor, the TEDBF promises to be a game-changer. ADA officials confirmed to idrw.org that the fighter will be imbued with cutting-edge 5th-generation technologies, mirroring those under development for the AMCA, India’s advanced medium combat aircraft program.
This integration of 5th-gen tech elevates the TEDBF to a unique position among its contemporaries. One key feature is the incorporation of smart data fusion from multi-spectral sensors. This allows for superior threat identification, location, jamming, and decoy deployment against a wider range of adversaries.
The decision to equip the TEDBF with 5th-gen capabilities ensures its technological relevance for decades to come. Even as the fighter remains in production to meet the needs of a potential third Indian aircraft carrier, the TEDBF’s advanced features will keep it at the forefront of aerial combat.