SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant milestone for India’s indigenous defense aviation program, the Tejas MkII, also known as the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), is on track for its first prototype rollout by the end of 2025, with production slated to commence by early 2029. According to sources close to the Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plans to deliver an initial order of 120 Tejas MkII aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of 2034, achieving an annual production rate of approximately 24 units. This ambitious timeline underscores India’s commitment to bolstering its air combat capabilities and achieving self-reliance under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
The Tejas MkII is a 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with HAL. Building on the success of the Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A, the MkII features significant upgrades, including a larger airframe, close-coupled canards, a more powerful General Electric F414-INS6 engine, and advanced avionics such as the indigenous Uttam GaN-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system. These enhancements make the Tejas MkII a versatile fighter capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, designed to replace aging IAF aircraft like the SEPECAT Jaguar, Dassault Mirage 2000, and Mikoyan MiG-29.
The aircraft’s reduced frontal Radar Cross Section (RCS), reported to be one-fourth that of the Tejas Mk1, enhances its stealth capabilities, while its modular design enables HAL to achieve a high production rate of up to 25 units annually. With an indigenous content exceeding 82% initially and projected to surpass 90% with localized engine production, the Tejas MkII is a cornerstone of India’s self-reliant defense ecosystem.
The first Tejas MkII prototype is currently under assembly at HAL’s Bengaluru facility, with over 60% of the aircraft’s construction completed, including the center fuselage, wings, and engine integration. The rollout is scheduled for November–December 2025, followed by ground testing, including low- and high-speed taxi trials from December 2025 to March 2026. The maiden flight is planned for the first quarter of 2026 (April–July), slightly delayed from earlier estimates due to the integration of complex subsystems like avionics and electronic warfare suites.
HAL and ADA plan to produce four pre-production prototypes by 2027–2028 to accelerate testing. These prototypes will undergo over 1,000 sorties to validate aerodynamic performance, engine integration, flight control systems, and an extensive weapons suite, including Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAMs), Close Combat Missiles (CCMs), and Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs). The program aims to achieve basic Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) by 2028, bypassing traditional IOC and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) processes to expedite production.
HAL has outlined a phased production strategy to meet the IAF’s requirement for 120 Tejas MkII aircraft by the end of 2034. Production is expected to begin in early 2029, with an initial rate of 16–18 units per year, ramping up to 24 units annually by 2032–2033. To support this, HAL will transition one of its Nashik production lines from Tejas Mk1A to MkII production by 2029, starting with a capacity of four units annually and expanding to eight. Two Bangalore lines will also shift to MkII production by 2031–2033, ensuring no disruption to existing Mk1A orders.
The IAF’s initial order of 110–120 aircraft will form six squadrons, with potential for an additional 180–210 units, bringing the total to up to 300 aircraft if approved by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This ambitious plan aligns with the IAF’s goal to modernize its fleet amid regional security challenges, phasing out older aircraft like the Mirage 2000 and MiG-29UPG by the mid-2030s.
The Tejas MkII program, backed by ?10,000 crore in funding approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 2022, leverages the Tejas Mk1 supply chain and partnerships with private players like Tata Advanced Systems and Larsen & Toubro. Although the MoD declined an IAF proposal for a private sector-led production line, HAL’s optimized use of existing facilities ensures cost efficiency and scalability. The program’s high indigenous content and modular design position India to potentially export the Tejas MkII, with 16 countries reportedly expressing interest at DefExpo 2022.
The Tejas MkII’s advanced capabilities, including its AESA radar and reduced RCS, make it a critical asset for the IAF, bridging the gap between the Tejas Mk1/Mk1A and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Its development also reflects India’s growing aerospace expertise, with HAL’s streamlined certification process and collaboration with private industry ensuring timely delivery.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.