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India’s Tejas Mk2 medium-weight fighter programme has reached a pivotal development milestone.
Newly released project outlines reveal a detailed, phased strategy by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to transition the indigenous jet from its final assembly directly into pre-flight testing.
This carefully structured timetable will guide engineers through essential ground evaluations, engine tests, and runway trials.
The initial phase, slated for completion within three months of the contract's start, is dedicated to building the aircraft's core framework.
During this period, teams will integrate the centre fuselage and connect the major structural components of the fighter.
Engineers will also install distribution boxes, relay panels, line replaceable units (LRUs), and internal piping, establishing the necessary foundation for advanced system integration later on.
By the six-month mark, the focus will transition toward integrating critical functional systems.
Workers will lay out the aircraft’s electrical wiring and flight test instrumentation while applying sealants and conducting strict foreign object debris (FOD) checks.
This second phase also sees the physical installation of the General Electric F414 engine, alongside the landing gear, onboard sensors, and flight control surfaces. Before moving forward, technicians will run system leak checks and correct any early hardware issues.
As the schedule nears its ten-month target, the prototype will undergo its most rigorous pre-flight preparations.
Following the final assembly of the wings and structural supports, the aircraft will be subjected to intense functional simulations and systems checks.
A critical hurdle in this phase is the Engine Ground Run (EGR). During this test, the powerful GE F414 engine will be fired up while the aircraft is safely anchored to the tarmac. This allows engineers to validate the propulsion, hydraulics, electrical networks, and avionics without the aircraft leaving the ground.
Once the stationary engine tests are successfully cleared, the Tejas Mk2 will proceed to low and high-speed taxi trials.
These runway exercises are crucial for testing the aircraft’s steering, braking systems, and overall handling dynamics, providing real-world data to refine the design before it ever takes to the skies.
Beyond the mechanical assembly, the Tejas Mk2 represents a massive technological leap for India's aerospace defence sector.
Reports indicate that the new-generation fighter will boast a maximum take-off weight of 17.5 tonnes and feature a completely modernized cockpit equipped with a 20x8 inch touch-enabled Large Area Display (LAD).
Combined with the indigenous Uttam AESA radar and the significantly more powerful 98 kN thrust engine, the comprehensive testing roadmap ensures that every advanced subsystem is fully validated as DRDO pushes toward the aircraft's highly anticipated maiden flight in mid-2026.
