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SOURCE: AFI

The Tejas Mk-II, also known as the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), represents India’s ambitious leap in indigenous fighter jet development. Over the past decade, the program has undergone significant design modifications, reflecting evolving requirements and the pursuit of advanced capabilities to meet future combat challenges.

The first official mention of the Tejas Mk-II was made in 2009 by Ashok Baweja, then Chairman of HAL, during Aero India 2009. He described the project as a larger, more powerful derivative of the Tejas Mk-I, powered by a next-generation engine. Under P.S. Subramanyam, Director of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the vision expanded to include five squadrons with 70% indigenous content and a projected first flight in 2014.

Initially, the induction of the Tejas Mk-II was planned for 2015, a timeline later pushed to 2018. However, the complexity of development and shifting requirements led to further postponements, resulting in substantial redesigns over the years. The platform underwent its first Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in 2014. The early design featured a fuselage that was just 500mm longer than the Mk-I, with an all-up weight (AUW) of 15 tons, an internal fuel capacity of 2,672 kg, and a payload of 4,500 kg.

In 2017, significant modifications introduced canards and extended the fuselage by 1,000mm. These changes increased the payload capacity to 5,500 kg and the internal fuel capacity to 3,300 kg, raising the AUW to 16.5 tons. Further refinements in 2019 made the platform even more capable. The fuselage was lengthened by 1,350mm, and the width increased by 300mm. With an internal fuel capacity of 3,300 kg and a payload of 6.5 tons, the AUW reached 17.5 tons. This evolution reflects the aircraft’s growing capacity to meet the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) future operational requirements.

The Mk-II’s development builds on the improvements introduced in the Tejas Mk-IA, which includes 43 enhancements such as an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, advanced mission systems, and digital radar warning receivers. However, the Mk-II takes these advancements further, transforming into a medium-weight fighter equipped with cutting-edge technologies. The platform will feature a powerful GE F414-INS6 engine with 98 kN of thrust, enabling a ferry range of 3,500 km and a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 17.5 tons.

The Mk-II boasts a host of advanced systems, including a Smart Large Area Display (LAD), a Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS), Infrared Search and Track (IRST), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), and an On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS). Its low Radar Cross Section (RCS) design, combined with upgraded avionics and a smart cockpit, positions it as a formidable asset for India’s defense capabilities.

While delays have plagued its timeline, the Tejas Mk-II represents a significant leap forward for India’s indigenous aerospace industry, reflecting the nation’s determination to field a modern and capable fighter aircraft. As the program advances, it promises to solidify India’s position in developing world-class defense technology.