SOURCE: AFI
Recent statements attributed to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief regarding the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas MkII’s first flight have sparked confusion, with some reports suggesting an imminent maiden flight. However, authoritative sources, including AFI, have clarified the timeline, dispelling misconceptions and reaffirming the program’s steady progress. The Tejas MkII, a cornerstone of India’s indigenous defence aviation, is on track for a prototype rollout by late October or early November 2025, with its first flight expected in late February or March 2026.
Recently Certain media outlets cited DRDO Chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat as claiming the Tejas MkII’s first flight would occur within “6-12 months,” fueling speculation of a flight as early as October 2025. These reports, amplified by enthusiastic commentary, suggested an accelerated timeline that caught the defence community off guard. However, AFI’s investigation reveals these statements were either misquoted or taken out of context, with the actual timeline aligning with earlier projections.
The confusion likely stems from a conflation of the prototype rollout and first flight milestones. Rollout—when the aircraft is unveiled from the assembly line—marks the start of ground testing, not flight readiness. Misinterpreting this as an immediate precursor to flight led to unrealistic expectations. AFI’s confirmation, backed by sources close to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), sets the record straight: the rollout is slated for October-November 2025, with the first flight targeted for February-March 2026.
The Tejas MkII, also known as the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), is an advanced 4.5-generation multi-role aircraft designed to bridge the gap between the Tejas MkI/MkIA and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Powered by the General Electric F414-INS6 engine, it features canards, an indigenous Uttam AESA radar, and an enhanced weapons suite, offering superior range, payload, and combat capabilities over its predecessor. The IAF plans to induct 120-180 units by 2035 to replace aging Jaguars, MiG-29s, and Mirage 2000s.
The program has gained momentum since the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) sanctioned ?10,000 crore in September 2022 for prototype development and testing. As of April 2025, HAL’s Bengaluru facility is assembling the first prototype, with the center fuselage completed, wings near-ready, and the forward and rear fuselage in advanced stages. The assembly jig, critical for integrating these components, is operational, and most subsystems are expected to arrive by mid-2025.
Key milestones include:
- Rollout (October-November 2025): The prototype will exit the assembly line, marking the start of engine ground runs and system checks. Unlike past HAL rollouts, no ceremonial event is planned, reflecting a focus on technical readiness over fanfare.
- Taxi Trials (December 2025-February 2026): Low- and high-speed taxi tests will validate the aircraft’s systems, overseen by the IAF’s Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE).
- First Flight (February-March 2026): The maiden flight will test basic flight characteristics, paving the way for four prototypes to conduct over 1,000 sorties by 2028 for weapons integration and certification.
- Production (2028-2029): With a streamlined certification process bypassing traditional Initial and Final Operational Clearances, production could commence by late 2028, targeting 18 units annually.
These timelines align with updates from Aero India 2025, where HAL and ADA officials confirmed the program’s progress despite minor delays in subsystem integration. The slight shift in first flight from March to potentially February 2026 reflects cautious optimism, contingent on timely delivery of F414 engines from General Electric.
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