Delayed TEDBF Program Forces Indian Navy to Prolong MiG-29K Service Beyond Initial 2035 Plans

The Indian Navy will extend the operational service life of its MiG-29K fighter jet fleet to 2040, five years beyond the originally planned retirement date of 2035. This decision is a direct result of delays in the development of the indigenous Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, which is intended to be the MiG-29K's successor.

The TEDBF, a domestically designed and developed combat aircraft, is crucial to the Indian Navy's modernization plans. The program, managed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), aims to create a modern, carrier-based fighter jet to meet the Navy's specific operational requirements.

However, the project is awaiting crucial government approvals, and the development timeline has been extended. Reports indicate the Navy has specified approximately 14 key features required for the TEDBF to meet its operational needs.

The anticipated first flight of the TEDBF prototype has been pushed back to late 2029. Consequently, the projected production timeline has shifted to between 2036 and 2038. This delay stems from the inherent complexities of developing a fighter jet designed specifically for aircraft carrier operations, which demands rigorous and extensive flight testing.

The TEDBF's development process necessitates significantly more flight testing compared to land-based fighter programs, such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This is due to the unique and demanding environment of carrier operations. Crucial features like automated take-off and landing systems, essential for pilot safety and operational effectiveness on a carrier deck, require extensive real-world testing before the aircraft can be certified for production.

"Extending the MiG-29K's service life is a necessary step to ensure we maintain a continuous carrier air wing capability," stated a Navy source. "While we remain fully committed to the TEDBF program, we must also realistically assess timelines and operational readiness."

To maintain the MiG-29K fleet's effectiveness, the Navy is expected to implement a service life extension program (SLEP). This SLEP will likely involve upgrades to the aircraft's avionics (electronic warfare and communication systems), radar, and potentially structural enhancements to ensure its airworthiness for an additional decade. These upgrades will ensure the MiG-29Ks remain a potent naval air asset until the TEDBF is fully operational.

The MiG-29K, acquired from Russia, currently operates from India's aircraft carriers, the INS Vikramaditya and the INS Vikrant. It is considered an important asset.

 

[sanket]

Nice. Why not Navy go for AMCA naval version? Instead of a 4th-gen naval version, by the time it starts inducting TEDBF by 2040, a 6th-gen naval version will be inducted by the world. What an approach by the Navy! First, they are retiring the 4th-gen MiG-29. Then, for a stop-gap, they are inducting the 4th-gen Rafale M, and after that, they are inducting the 4th-gen TEDBF. Where is the technological leap in inducting the fighter jet...................??

 

[Kailash]

Calling TEDBF delayed is mischievous. If money or procedural red tape is the problem, it is govt shooting its own foot. IAF is forced to fight and win wars, despite the govt blockages and lethargy.

It is not like India is short of funds or short of manpower or short of enemies. We don't need more enemies within the system.

 

[beencensured]

Nice. Why not Navy go for AMCA naval version? Instead of a 4th-gen naval version, by the time it starts inducting TEDBF by 2040, a 6th-gen naval version will be inducted by the world. What an approach by the Navy! First, they are retiring the 4th-gen MiG-29. Then, for a stop-gap, they are inducting the 4th-gen Rafale M, and after that, they are inducting the 4th-gen TEDBF. Where is the technological leap in inducting the fighter jet...................??

Mig29k are relatively new aircraft and so scrapping them might be bad idea if problems can be rectified.

 

[Rajesh]

No need of TEDBF in 2040s till then AMCA -Navy may be available better buy 36 F-35B for our carriers !

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Good decision by IN. Mig29k has a lot to offer. You have to fight with what you have. TDBEF is a dream. 2038...2040...2042...2047...Time will only tell.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

They should order some LCA Tejas Naval version, maybe 28 no's, to fill the gap.

 

[Anant]

Mig29k are relatively new aircraft and so scrapping them might be bad idea if problems can be rectified.

By the late 2030s, they won't be new. 25-ish years is a fairly good life for a naval fighter.

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

No need of TEDBF in 2040s till then AMCA -Navy may be available better buy 36 F-35B for our carriers !

I agree with you. The F-35 can be very useful due to its stealth capability, as China is going to deploy 5th-gen fighters on-board its carriers. But this government has no vision for advanced technologies. They are talking only about local manufacturing and AToT. And also, they make joking statements like India will become a major player in the defence field. We are not able to produce a successful drone. And also, we are struggling with cruise missiles. Our LCH has a lot of problems and a lot of accidents. We have not even exported a single fighter plane, submarine, or tank. The only major thing we exported is BrahMos, which is not an Indian missile. And also, Akash and guns. We are not even in the top 10.

 

[DrEaDlOcK]

I can see them flying well beyond 2040, if not crossing their 50s as well. The blame lies on all parties, and none of them have the seriousness to address the problems that'll come with it. Their mindset is still stuck in the 50s, 60s era, where innovation was happening at a decade's pace, where India didn't have challenges like it does today.

CCS is not taking any of the committees seriously. CAG reports are just piles of paper to them.

Ask them about progress on any programs; one common answer will be lack of funds, or that CCS or DAC is reviewing the proposal at the moment.

 

[Vineet Sharma]

I think we should focus on firing Agni 5 from the TEDBF platform. Space shuttle replacement can also be thought of... 😊 😊 😊 😊

I don't know when our people will learn incremental development. Make the capable platform as soon as possible, which should be flight-worthy, and then think of adding multiple, useful functionalities. Putting in all dream requirements will not only delay the process but also lead to complexity, dependencies, and cost.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

Calling TEDBF delayed is mischievous. If money or procedural red tape is the problem, it is govt shooting its own foot. IAF is forced to fight and win wars, despite the govt blockages and lethargy.

It is not like India is short of funds or short of manpower or short of enemies. We don't need more enemies within the system.

Seriously! I think the TEDBF programme needs to be scrapped (more importantly bcoz of reducing its stealth qualities). AMCA-N development is more reasonable. Inducting 4.5 gen aircraft in 2038 (or later) makes no sense. At least AMCA will start production earlier and Navy will start receiving 5th gens simultaneously with IAF. Also, including Navy orders means more attractive deal for private manufacturers.

Further, an entirely new design will take more time, money and workload (developing 3-4 jets at once is no joke). AMCA can be used from STOBAR carriers easily if Rafale is capable of the same, they are of same MTOW-class. In fact, AMCA MTOW in stealth mode is around 20-21 tonnes (lower).

 

[Anant]

I think we should focus on firing Agni 5 from the TEDBF platform. Space shuttle replacement can also be thought of... 😊 😊 😊 😊

I don't know when our people will learn incremental development. Make the capable platform as soon as possible, which should be flight-worthy, and then think of adding multiple, useful functionalities. Putting in all dream requirements will not only delay the process but also lead to complexity, dependencies, and cost.

Are you serious? Do you really think you can fire an ICBM weighing 50+ tons from a carrier-based fighter which is planned to have a MTOW of about 26 tons?

 

[Surendra Barsode]

Why is there a delay in approval by the Govt of India? What are the issues, apart from the Navy's okay for the project, that the Govt is looking into and delaying the approval? A 5-year delay due to this in commissioning the fighter is unacceptable.

 

[beencensured]

By the late 2030s, they won't be new. 25-ish years is a fairly good life for a naval fighter.

Basically, we can modify and make them reliable, so why waste money? Certainly, we have upgraded MiG-29s and made them relevant, so why not the MiG-29K? By the time the TEDBF comes along, we will then have something, which is better than nothing. The MiG-29K is not more than 15 years old.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Seriously! I think the TEDBF programme needs to be scrapped (more importantly bcoz of reducing its stealth qualities). AMCA-N development is more reasonable. Inducting 4.5 gen aircraft in 2038 (or later) makes no sense. At least AMCA will start production earlier and Navy will start receiving 5th gens simultaneously with IAF. Also, including Navy orders means more attractive deal for private manufacturers.

Further, an entirely new design will take more time, money and workload (developing 3-4 jets at once is no joke). AMCA can be used from STOBAR carriers easily if Rafale is capable of the same, they are of same MTOW-class. In fact, AMCA MTOW in stealth mode is around 20-21 tonnes (lower).

In that case funds for TEDBF development can be diverted. USD1 billion for Jet engine development and ~ 700 million USD for Naval AMCA.

 

[Varaaah]

India needs a VTOL engine of its own. Not only for the AC, but to land and take off from where there is no air field.

 

[Shiva]

MiG-29 is a sophisticated hard machine and with less maintenance cost, it can be in active position for even beyond 2040. Because it is of old generation, it may not be a viable platform for dogfighting. But at the same time, this is a superb platform for air-based attacks and handling/managing swarm-based UAV platforms.

So, increasing its lifespan is very important. It is not related to TEDBF platform availability. These type of narratives are only pressure tactics by foreign players to put political pressure on decision-makers to import few platforms.

 

[Rajesh]

At least buy the 24 MiG-29Ks from the Russian Navy if they are willing to sell. This will get us a better availability rate, and we will not require any additional infrastructure or training for this deal. It will give us a breather till our policymakers finalize something after this long delay in decision-making. If a next aircraft carrier is not on their list of schemes soon, then TEDBF doesn't make sense with a date of 2040 and a small order. Why don't we go for a slightly bigger AMCA (27-30 ton), scrapping the TEDBF project? A project similar to IMRH, with the Navy and Air Force having their own versions. TEDBF money can be used for something better, like engines or other necessarily required platforms.

 

[Anant]

Basically, we can modify and make them reliable, so why waste money? Certainly, we have upgraded MiG-29s and made them relevant, so why not the MiG-29K? By the time the TEDBF comes along, we will then have something, which is better than nothing. The MiG-29K is not more than 15 years old.

Because an airframe has a set life, and you can't exceed that without essentially rebuilding the whole thing. The MiG-29Ks today are just over a decade old (mostly), but in another 15 years, practically all the airframes will be 25 years old. Now, the MiG-29Ks haven't just been sitting around in hangars. They have been getting a decent amount of use, and that puts hours on the airframe. Moreover, a naval fighter generally tends to have a slightly shorter life due to it being exposed more to the elements, leading to increased structural and weather-related stresses.

We are upgrading the MiG-29 today, and we'll do the same for the MiG-29K shortly. That doesn't mean they will be in good shape by 2040.