ADA Tejas Mark II: India's Next-Gen Fighter - Discuss the Future!

[Manav Rastogi]

Greetings aviation enthusiasts and defense tech followers!

India's homegrown Tejas Mark II fighter program is making waves, and I'm excited to open up this discussion forum to explore its potential impact on the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the broader global fighter landscape.

Key Discussion Points​

• Capabilities and Design: What are your thoughts on the Tejas Mark II's increased payload, range, and advanced avionics compared to the original Tejas? How do you think these improvements will affect its performance in various mission scenarios?
• Future of the IAF: How might the Tejas Mark II fit into the IAF's future fleet modernization plans? Could it potentially replace older aircraft like the Mirage 2000 or MiG-29?
• Global Competitiveness: Do you see the Tejas Mark II being a competitive export product? Which international markets could it appeal to?
• Challenges and Opportunities: What challenges do you foresee in the development and production of the Tejas Mark II? What opportunities could it open up for the Indian aerospace industry?

Feel free to share your insights, questions, and any relevant news or updates you come across. Let's make this a vibrant space for discussing the future of this promising fighter jet!

 

[team]

First aircraft rollout of Tejas MkII postponed due to delays in funding and focus on self-reliance​

India's next-generation fighter jet programme, Tejas MkII, is going to have a new schedule with an emphasis on domestic content. Recent developments indicate that the first aircraft rollout, which was initially anticipated for December 2023, may be delayed. Due to delays in funding and an emphasis on greater self-reliance, the program's first rollout is currently scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027.

The Tejas MkII program's overall timeline was impacted by the unexpected delay in the initial funding disbursement. This, and because HAL and DRDO are committed to higher indigenization, a new schedule is required. The first flight, which was supposed to happen in December 2024, is probably going to happen in 2028. The start of production is only anticipated for early 2030, which is a considerable delay over the original estimates.

The updated timeline also shows a change in emphasis towards more indigenous material. The programme now aspires for over 80% of the aircraft to be produced with Indian components, up from 65% previously. Reducing reliance on foreign sources and averting possible disruptions from ongoing global conflicts are the driving forces behind this ambitious goal.

With the recent decision to purchase 97 more Tejas Mk1A aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) demonstrated its continued commitment to the Tejas programme. This move demonstrates trust in the platform's capabilities and acts as a buffer against potential delays in the MkII programme.

The revised schedule and increased emphasis on indigenization present the Tejas MkII programme with both challenges and opportunities. Because of the longer development timeline, effective resource management and allocation are required. On the other hand, the emphasis on domestic content is a step in the right direction towards increased independence in the vital field of fighter aircraft technology.

The Tejas MkII is a complicated programme and has ambitious goals. While the changed schedule and increased emphasis on self-reliance bring problems, they also present opportunity for learning and progress. The success of the programme will be determined by competent project management, technological innovation, and sustained collaboration between HAL, DRDO, and the IAF. By overcoming these obstacles, the Tejas MkII has the potential to cement India's status as a global aerospace leader.

 

[team]

Funding for Tejas MkII Finally Arrived, and Why it was Delayed?​

Development delays have affected India's ambitious push into next-generation fighter technology with the much-anticipated Tejas MkII fighter jet. However, new information from well-known journalist Anantha Krishnan M provides a glimmer of optimism, illuminating the causes of the delays and the project's renewed enthusiasm.

Krishnan notes that despite a delay, funding—a crucial aspect of every significant development project—arrived "finally, officially, and recently." This delay was caused by a condition connected to the project's approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in August 2022. The funds were only available for use following the signing of a Transfer of Technology (ToT) deal between General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the F-414 engines, which are essential to the aircraft's performance.

With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for the F-414 engine ToT in June 2023, this bottleneck was ultimately resolved. After that, in July, the CCS approved the use of funds, and in September, the project finally got the funding it had been waiting for.

With funds streaming in, the programme is gaining traction. About 8500 of the 9500 part drawings for the aircraft construction have already been made available for production, as Krishnan points out. This is a major step forward in the foundation-building process for the Tejas MkII.

Although we regret the initial delay, there has been a favourable turn in subsequent events. The project's future is looking more optimistic with the inflow of funds and improvements made in design and manufacturing. Tejas MkII has enormous potential to improve India's air defence capabilities because of its improved capabilities and greater reliance on domestic technologies.

 

[team]

India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 Continues to Face Uncertainties​

Even though well-known defence journalist Anantha Krishnan M. estimates a potential launch by mid-2025, there are still doubts surrounding the development of India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Tejas Mk2.

This possible schedule, however, is subject to a caution; the rollout may take place before all essential systems are completely integrated into the aircraft.

Although the goal of this method is to roll out earlier, there are worries that the first flight (FF) may be delayed. Industry insiders with knowledge of aircraft production estimate that, depending on the complexity of integration, the First Flight may occur anywhere from six months to a year following the rollout.

With the goal of being a major improvement over the original Tejas, the Tejas Mk2 project has encountered a number of difficulties.

The extended timescales are a result of both funding delays and the ambitious objective of achieving a high degree of indigenization.

Despite the uncertainty, there is some reason to be optimistic. The manufacturer, HAL, has purportedly obtained further funds in order to accelerate the project.

In order to become more self-sufficient and lower operating expenses, the HAL is also concentrating on lowering its dependency on overseas suppliers for essential components.

 

[RonitBisht]

MoD Targets Exporting Tejas MkII Fighter Jet to Compete with Russian Jets in Medium-Category Market​

The Indian Ministry of Defence is focusing on exporting the Tejas MkII fighter jet to compete with Russian jets in the medium-category market.

The jet, which offers advanced capabilities at a competitive price, could be a viable contender for countries like Vietnam, Algeria, and Africa.

The development is progressing rapidly, with funding secured and rollout planned within two years.

The Indian Air Force's commitment to procure 120-200 units upfront boosts export prospects. Despite facing competition from established players like the Swedish Gripen-E and Chinese J-10CE, the Tejas MkII's indigenous development and lower life-cycle costs could be attractive propositions.

 

[nakul1307]

What a joke. Fix your production first.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Gaanv basaa nahin, 👀 karney waale pahley aa gaye.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

there is no official statement of the MOD regarding export of the MK2. It is bad reporting by the author. The Malaysian order was lost due to israeli equipment inside. The nincompoops should know better, rather than run around world, marketing to a non friendly state and get snubbed while exposing the details of the lca. Pakistan ,turkey and malaysia are a group inimical to India. The tragedy is we are badly in need of depleting fighter squadrons and jokers go around trying to export it as though that is the greatest way to prove themselves. The MOD should stop this tamasha.
The MK2 can best try to equal the gripen E IF everything goes well. This self praising saying that it is the best fighter in the world should stop. even the chinese dont do it.Only Pakistan does it regarding the jf-17.

 

[Mango_Indian]

Mungeri Lal ke haseen sapne....first prototype is 3 years late and counting. HAL production rate is 4 aircraft per year in a good year and chale export karne.

Looks like JUMLA has totally penetrated the heart and soul of the country. No one wants to fix the basics, work hard and iron out your issues. Only make tall statements and false promises.

Acche din aa gaye...6ODI hai to pumpkin hai...

 

[Hari Sud]

B.S. …… First finish the jobs at hand.

 

[Frank]

Good

Africa
south east asia
middle east
south east asia

are our target

also private production line should be started

 

[NSR]

120-200 Tejas Mk II are not enough for India by any means.

Tejas Mk II is the bread and butter, and meat and potatoes type of fighter for India and it will replace all of Jaguars, Mirage-2000IPGs, Mig-29UPGs, and all those Migs already retired.

Tejas Mk IA is to replace all of Mig-21s and some as it has tremendous potential as it will carry Astra Mk I immediately and keep the enemy at least 90+ kms away from border while still flying safely 20 kms in Indian lands.

India and IAF must concentrate on this fighter of the future.
Best wishes.

 

[Ashutosh]

🤦 What's the point of this article!? MoD is also eyeing global push of all other things too.

 

[INDIAN]

First build it , induct it, what a rubbish article.

 

[Akhil]

The tragedy is we are badly in need of depleting fighter squadrons and jokers go around trying to export it as though that is the greatest way to prove themselves.

I hope you had the brains to understand that more export orders means our forces can buy more, we can spend more on R&D.

IA has made the orders that they can. If we get export orders won't reduce that order size.

 

[Neel Martin]

Now a days news are all PUSHING, better cushion more Pushing is the phrase. It is not built , it is has got none to buy then how this PUSHING works ? Try Phishing

 

[Mridul baruah]

This is like unmarried banda saying mera bets doctor banega. Pehle gf banao,shadi karo, baccha paida ho....uske baad bhi guarantee nehi ki doctor ban bhi payega ya nehi.

 

[Kira]

Dreaming of export orders even before a single plane is produced and delivered to the IAF,it's like PSUs are already on 6G internet!!

 

[Man-ju]

Gaanv basaa nahin, 👀 karney waale pahley aa gaye.

With HAL at helm I have zero hopes.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

For MK2 desi engine is far far away, better to indigenise al other imported parts and subsystems.

 

[Rational Guy]

Don't count chickens before the eggs hatch.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

The article written. Too earlier. Even prototype not ready. It takes 4 yrs to fly. Then testing, weapon integration, manufacturing facility etc. Hal will take atleast 10 yrs to start producing. That is 2035. So article with export potential now joke.

 

[Sandeep]

It's good that progress is being made by HAL but it needs to speed up its development program even more. The first flight has already been delayed by over 2 years and have claimed it should be ready for it's first flight by this year or next year by the latest so we have no option but to wait like we have previously done for HAL. India needs to develop a brand new Tejas 2 jet so there will be a lot of tests and trials it will have to go through but they will need to work very hard and quickly in certifying it ready for production by 2030. Currently the technology developed for Tejas 2 will be more advanced and complex and it's capabilities will need to match the different type of indigenous weapons we need to install and use on it like the Astra IR and MK1-3, Rudram MK1-3, Brahmos, Nirbhay, Sudarshan, HSLD bombs, glide bombs, standard free fall bombs etc.

While developing our own indigenous jet it requires a lot of time and money and the Air Force will buy about 100-150 Tejas 2 jets or more to increase the number of squadrons we have. India is already or about to increase the number of jets it can make and assemble per year but they need to also increase capacity if we do get any foreign orders for Tejas MK1A and Tejas MK2 jets. Even though Tejas MK2 hasn't been developed or made in detail they were sure that the technology would of been ready and progressed.

 

[GMR]

Laudable efforts.. however the engine issue with GE must be sorted out before dreaming.. 20 engines/yr from GE will not be sufficient for combined internal & export orders..

 

[Akshat]

Laudable efforts.. however the engine issue with GE must be sorted out before dreaming.. 20 engines/yr from GE will not be sufficient for combined internal & export orders..

More than enough to meet the production capacity of HAL.