HAL Confirms Early 2025 Rollout of Tejas Mk2 Prototype, Initial Structural Assembly Underway

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has confirmed significant progress in the development of the LCA Tejas Mk2 fighter jet, announcing that the prototype is now under construction and on track for an early rollout in the later part of 2025.

This revised timeline, ahead of earlier projections of a March 2026 debut, marks a major milestone in India's indigenous fighter jet program.

Jayadeva EP, Deputy General Manager at HAL, stated that the initial structural assembly of the Tejas Mk2 prototype is already underway. This accelerated development could allow for more extensive pre-flight testing and data collection, potentially ensuring a smoother transition to the first flight, which remains scheduled for March 2026.

The Tejas Mk2 is a significant advancement over its predecessor, the Tejas Mk1. It is designed to boast a more powerful GE-414 engine, advanced radar systems, and increased payload capacity. These enhancements are expected to significantly bolster the capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Additional Information​

• GE-414 Engine Deal: The development of the Tejas Mk2 is closely linked to the recent historic deal between India and the US for the GE-414 jet engine. This engine will not only power the Tejas Mk2 but also the twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF).
• Ambitious Production Plans: HAL has outlined ambitious plans to produce at least 120 Tejas Mk2 fighter jets by 2036. This is anticipated to coincide with the retirement of the IAF's aging Mirage-2000 and MiG-29UPG fleets.

The successful rollout and first flight of the Tejas Mk2 prototype will be pivotal in demonstrating India's growing prowess in aerospace engineering and indigenous defence technology. This achievement could have broader implications for the country's defence capabilities and its role in the global aerospace industry.

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

Wait till it is done. But it will be done. Maybe a year or two here and there.

French lobby is so anxious and jealous. And rightly so. Mk2 will eat into MRFA orders. Given how much France is likely to charge, Mk2 is even likely to kill MRFA altogether. Cost of Rafale M in media is a very good indicator - $6B for 26 Rafale M where infra, training, India specific enhancements, armaments and even good part of spares are mostly paid for. $2.5B about 17-18 years back for upgrade of 50 odd Mirage is another indicator. As a benchmark, we could have ordered nearly 80 MK1 with far superior armament.

We must learn and build our own. Only temporary and critical gaps may be foreign.IAF and MoD severely delayed orders for Mk1A. Anyways. Let’s see how much have we learnt.

But we must not compare apple with oranges. We don't don't have anything near comparable to Rafaels. Tejas mk2 can replace only Mirages and Mig 29 to some extent. Nothing more than that.

 

[Sandeep]

This will be a major improvement if they can quickly start to develop and assemble the prototype much earlier than what they said previously. But with HAL their information and timeline have been delayed on previous occasions. The important part is to develop them and install the equipment and technology so we can begin the tests and trials which will take a long time. Once the jet passes all of the tests then they should start manufacturing them as fast as they can but they should consider giving a license to the private sector companies to manufacture the jet entirely. This will increase the number of jets we can induct into service and build our squadron strength.

 

[Akshat]

Wait till it is done. But it will be done. Maybe a year or two here and there.

French lobby is so anxious and jealous. And rightly so. Mk2 will eat into MRFA orders. Given how much France is likely to charge, Mk2 is even likely to kill MRFA altogether. Cost of Rafale M in media is a very good indicator - $6B for 26 Rafale M where infra, training, India specific enhancements, armaments and even good part of spares are mostly paid for. $2.5B about 17-18 years back for upgrade of 50 odd Mirage is another indicator. As a benchmark, we could have ordered nearly 80 MK1 with far superior armament.

We must learn and build our own. Only temporary and critical gaps may be foreign.IAF and MoD severely delayed orders for Mk1A. Anyways. Let’s see how much have we learnt.

It’s already 3 years late (assuming the above date is honored).

DRDO/DPSU apologists seem so anxious and rightly so. With the naval order confirmed and mk2 constantly delayed, it seems guaranteed that HAL will lose significance. Add to that the continuous delays in mk1a and even the trainers. And then the fact that the government is actively working to sell HAL off and create a rival in the private sector.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

But we must not compare apple with oranges. We don't don't have anything near comparable to Rafaels. Tejas mk2 can replace only Mirages and Mig 29 to some extent. Nothing more than that.

ExCept rafale is an Established proven 4th+gen fighter and a twin engine there will not be significant difference between capabilities between those 2. You can complain about it being developed late, but if tejas mk2 comes up with all promised capabilities it will be a good fighter jet which can compete with rafale, j10ce or other 4th plus gen fighters. Stop these fascinations with foreign maal and degrading everything indian. Every tech that rafale has mk2 will have comparable similar capabilities

And about being late every development of this type has always been late, its not making a simple nut or bolt. More we develop these complex products , more developers will learn from their previous mistakes where time was lost, they will correct it in amca or amca mk2.thats how it always has been.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

Continuous development block by block is the key to a great fighter jet.

 

[Sandeep]

Then let HAL do the same. Steal foreign technology and develop LCA MK2 and AMCA quickly.
What is stopping HAL from doing the same?Their sense of righteousness, or their sheer incompetency?

My information is in public domain. Anybody can freely check for references of my claim on Wikipedia.Now, If you have an alternate information, let us know the source, instead of indulging in whataboutery.

The Chinese had started work much earlier than 2012 as the F60 jet model and after its first flight it has undergone many design changes since then because of the flaws and problems they encountered with its aerodynamic, uneven weight distribution and lack of stealth material other than radar absorbing material.

Also HAL doesn’t have the technology, capability or knowledge to hack into highly classified and protected systems. India needs to create a separate cyber warfare unit under RAW which have the necessary abilities but India wouldn’t do that.

 

[Akshat]

ExCept rafale is an Established proven 4th+gen fighter and a twin engine there will not be significant difference between capabilities between those 2. You can complain about it being developed late, but if tejas mk2 comes up with all promised capabilities it will be a good fighter jet which can compete with rafale, j10ce or other 4th plus gen fighters. Stop these fascinations with foreign maal and degrading everything indian. Every tech that rafale has mk2 will have comparable similar capabilities

And about being late every development of this type has always been late, its not making a simple nut or bolt. More we develop these complex products , more developers will learn from their previous mistakes where time was lost, they will correct it in amca or amca mk2.thats how it always has been.

Nothing of this type is ever this late. Well over 2 decades just for roll out. Clearly our developers learned nothing at all in Tejas and will slip further in AMCA. That's unique to DRDO/HAL.

 

[Akshat]

Continuous development block by block is the key to a great fighter jet.

For that it has to be rolled out first. Continuous development of the plastic models is key to nothing.

 

[Akshat]

Let’s see.

Nothing to see. It's already VERY BERRY late. Even if rolled out in 2025 it's shameful and embarrassing.

 

[Akshat]

Taareekh pe taarekh from 2023, to 2024 now 2025.

Actual date was much earlier. At one point it was supposed to come out in 2013 (I don't have official links now but multiple articles from that time can be found online). Then it was 2022. Now 2025. So well over a decade of delays.

 

[Akshat]

Stop blaming the Govt.....world over companies dont wait for the govt to approve every bit and piece. They keep utilizing internal funds and R&D to start with prototypes and a basic intial product before trying to secure firm orders.
Look what HAL did with PRachand. In case of MK2, its HAL being lethargic and outright stpd as there is no one to insert a rod yet. Let pvt sectors mature in next decade, HAL will have a serious existential crises

But GoI had already approved it way back. HAL chief himself promised to deliver it in 2022, ~20 months after the statement. So he admitted he received all the funds and approvals required.

 

[Akshat]

Its pathetic for HAL, taking nearly 2years just to assemble the aircraft.

Complete assembly by late24 or March 25 & first flight by late 25.

None of that is happening.

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Stop blaming the Govt.....world over companies dont wait for the govt to approve every bit and piece. They keep utilizing internal funds and R&D to start with prototypes and a basic intial product before trying to secure firm orders.
Look what HAL did with PRachand. In case of MK2, its HAL being lethargic and outright stpd as there is no one to insert a rod yet. Let pvt sectors mature in next decade, HAL will have a serious existential crises

HAL , DRDO all companies comes under MOD , MOD makes all calls regarding their functioning, it's not halwa that you can utilise 30-40% internal funds for projects.

You have to get clearance for the MOD , and why would a company use it's internal funds for R&D , when the clearance comes after 1-2 years...

First you get into contract with the party , then you start making arrangements to deliver any product..

Private companies are currently busy in screwdriving , they missed the opportunity to come along in AMCA , when the government is giving funds for the prototypes and they just have to use the facilities of DPSUs to make the prototypes , still no Private companies came forward...

DPSUs are not efficient & private players want only profit

 

[The Presence]

Taareekh pe taarekh from 2023, to 2024 now 2025.

Yeah I too was thinking, wasn't production supposed to start in 2025 ?

 

[Akshat]

Yeah I too was thinking, wasn't production supposed to start in 2025 ?

Initially production was supposed to start in 2016 as per HAL documents to vendors (quoted by media). And then people wonder why companies don't come forward when HAL/DRDO invites them to be vendors/partners. Imagine the vendors who developed and gave price back then waiting for orders till now.

 

[Sangram]

whenever they say it's advance so basically they are saying it will take a time

 

[Bhishma]

Then let HAL do the same. Steal foreign technology and develop LCA MK2 and AMCA quickly.

We dont do that. We dont want to become world's pariah like the Chinese. China's copy paste technique will not work in the long run. It leads to poor work culture - they dont have understanding, lack of innovation, poor quality. They have a "flying thing" in the sky, but is it battle worthy ? Everybody who bought their junk is unhappy. Rumours are even their priced jets are junk.

Solution to our problems is not copy-pasting. We do have our problems but China-model is not the way to go. We have good relations with everyone. Back stabbing them is very bad on all fronts. It would be a self harming exercise. Our problem is lack of efficiency, not lack of capability. they can be addressed in other ways.

 

[Mridul baruah]

Be ready for another date...most likely mid 2026.

 

[RalphRearden]

HAL , DRDO all companies comes under MOD , MOD makes all calls regarding their functioning, it's not halwa that you can utilise 30-40% internal funds for projects.

You have to get clearance for the MOD , and why would a company use it's internal funds for R&D , when the clearance comes after 1-2 years...

First you get into contract with the party , then you start making arrangements to deliver any product..

Private companies are currently busy in screwdriving , they missed the opportunity to come along in AMCA , when the government is giving funds for the prototypes and they just have to use the facilities of DPSUs to make the prototypes , still no Private companies came forward...

DPSUs are not efficient & private players want only profit

Lol, another DPSU babu category response....who is asking or preventing HAL to start looking for international orders and gear up towards those...why should HAL be the sole supplier to IAF and rely only on orders from Indian armed forces...if they know it will take 5 years for approvals and funds, go do market research and develop something for export instead of sitting around and sipping tea....HAL babus are third grade inefficient babus with zero mativation and negative IQ since they have no incentive to perform. (that is the fault of MOD who themselves are staffed with lifelong tenured fixed salary officers/clerks)

 

[Pink Panther]

Wait till it is done. But it will be done. Maybe a year or two here and there.

French lobby is so anxious and jealous. And rightly so. Mk2 will eat into MRFA orders. Given how much France is likely to charge, Mk2 is even likely to kill MRFA altogether. Cost of Rafale M in media is a very good indicator - $6B for 26 Rafale M where infra, training, India specific enhancements, armaments and even good part of spares are mostly paid for. $2.5B about 17-18 years back for upgrade of 50 odd Mirage is another indicator. As a benchmark, we could have ordered nearly 80 MK1 with far superior armament.

We must learn and build our own. Only temporary and critical gaps may be foreign.IAF and MoD severely delayed orders for Mk1A. Anyways. Let’s see how much have we learnt.

This is why we need to drag MRFA for another 2 years, to see how MK2 progresses and then decide, for now we need to focus on Super SU-30 upgrade in full swing and induct MK1A as many as we can/ year, as you say MRFA might kill MK2, if there isn urgent need we could always go for 1 extra squadron of SU-30 OR Rafale if we can get them within 3-5 years.