SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, which is set to become a cornerstone of India’s naval airpower, is on track for a Critical Design Review (CDR) by mid-2025. This milestone will be key to ensuring the viability of the program and will precede the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) clearance for the required funding.
Despite being classified as a 5 Minus Generation fighter, the TEDBF will be a highly advanced platform, drawing on technological advancements from India’s AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program, but tailored to meet the unique demands of naval operations.
The TEDBF is expected to cost approximately ?15,000 crores for its research and development (R&D) phase. This substantial expenditure reflects the complexity of developing a fighter jet that meets the Navy’s rigorous specifications for operations aboard aircraft carriers.
Several unique requirements have contributed to the higher cost, including:
- Naval-Specific Undercarriage and Landing Gear: The TEDBF will be equipped with specialized landing gear designed to withstand the harsh conditions of aircraft carrier operations, where hard landings are common. The undercarriage must be capable of absorbing the immense stresses involved in the high-speed, short-distance landings on moving carriers. These components require extensive development, testing, and modification, adding to the program’s overall cost.
- Carrier Compatibility: In addition to the undercarriage, the TEDBF will need to meet strict compatibility requirements for deck operations, including tailhook systems, arrestor wires, and more. These features must be optimized for carrier landings, further increasing the cost of development.
- Naval Avionics and Systems Integration: While the TEDBF will share avionics and cockpit instrumentation with the AMCA, it will also require custom naval-specific systems, such as maritime radar, sensors, and communication systems capable of operating in the maritime environment. The integration of these systems will require significant effort and investment.
To ensure that the TEDBF program is financially viable, the Indian Navy has committed to procuring 145 aircraft over the coming years. The production of these aircraft is expected to commence by 2034, with the fighter jets supporting operations across India’s three aircraft carriers.
The decision to procure a large number of TEDBFs will help offset the high R&D costs and make the program more commercially viable. Furthermore, the LCA-Navy (Light Combat Aircraft for the Navy), which has been used for the technological demonstration of key technologies for the TEDBF, will serve as a valuable foundation. The insights gained from the LCA-Navy program will reduce the risks and costs involved in the TEDBF’s development and ensure smoother transitions to full-scale production.
Despite being classified as a 5 Minus Generation fighter, the TEDBF will incorporate several advanced features that make it a significant upgrade over previous naval fighters. The use of highly advanced avionics, long-range radar systems, and cutting-edge sensor fusion technologies will allow the TEDBF to deliver superior performance in the challenging maritime domain. Additionally, the TEDBF’s Semi-stealth capabilities, as well as AI-assisted operations, will set it apart from many other contemporary naval aircraft, making it a formidable asset for India’s naval defence capabilities.
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