SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Tejas MkII program, a cornerstone of India’s push for indigenous defence capabilities, has received a firm commitment from the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the procurement of 120 jets. According to an IAF official who spoke to idrw.org, this commitment is expected to not only break the 200-unit mark but could potentially extend to as many as 250 units over the course of the next decade.

The IAF’s commitment to the Tejas MkII comes as part of its larger strategy to modernize and enhance its combat fleet. The IAF has already placed firm orders for 220 Tejas Mk1/Mk1A aircraft from HAL, with 32 units already inducted into service. In addition to these, 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft are currently on order, and a further 97 units are planned. With Tejas MkI and MkIA deliveries ongoing, the IAF is well on its way to surpassing the 147 units of the HF-24 Marut (India’s first indigenous jet), which were produced over almost two decades.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hyderabad-based Mishra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI), a Miniratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), has achieved a significant milestone by dispatching its first consignment of titanium and superalloy products to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). These advanced materials are critical components for the manufacturing of the airframe and structural parts of the Tejas MkII fighter jet, an upgraded variant of India’s indigenous light combat aircraft.

He titanium and superalloy products supplied by MIDHANI have been developed and manufactured with the active collaboration of CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification) and DGAQA (Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance). These agencies played a pivotal role in ensuring the materials met the stringent quality and technical specifications required for aerospace applications.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

With the induction of the Tejas MkII fighter jets slated to begin from 2029-30 onwards, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has outlined plans to form a dedicated in-house team to manage feedback, requested changes, and upgrades for the aircraft. This move aims to reduce dependency on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the Tejas MkII program, particularly for software-related updates and modifications.

According to IAF officials, the current practice involves routing all requests for system changes or software upgrades through HAL, often incurring significant developmental costs. The new in-house approach will streamline this process, allowing the IAF to implement updates more frequently and cost-effectively. This shift is expected to ensure the Tejas MkII fleet remains consistently updated, avoiding delays or gaps often associated with periodic overhauls.