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.

 

[sanket]

Good News From HAL.

 

[Tabaahi]

Chances of early rollout in 2025 is very low, if it happens it is great news as this will help in mk2 going into early production by 29-30.

 

[NSR]

Wonderful news to start a day!!!

I have been saying for a long time that all of the design and development, test, and integration from Tejas IA will accrue positively for Tejas Mk 2 and all of its phases can be accelerated.

Sad part is that GoI and MoD and IAF did not push for clearance by CCS as soon as Tejas IA FOC has been completed and lost lots of time in all cycles.

Remember most of the subsystems that India is using on Tejas IA are also useful for Tejas Mk2 albeit with much more powerful and efficient with powerful engine and internal spaces.

If DRDO, ADA, and HAL tries very hard, then late 2025 target can be achievable.

I am positive that ADA, DRDO and HAL are under heavy stress and strain.

Way to go!!!

 

[De_SECULARISED]

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

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

 

[Sudha]

HAL has always made very very positive announcements, till they start to repeatedly push forward the timelines.🤣😂

 

[Sudha]

Good News From HAL.

Wait till it gets postponed. 🤣

 

[Bharat007]

HAL needs a serious overhaul.
Until then, Tarikh pe tarikh would kept happening.
Privatisation is the only way to improve it's productivity.
I don't even trust HAL much.

 

[AK S]

Wait till it gets postponed. 🤣

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.

 

[AK S]

Chances of early rollout in 2025 is very low, if it happens it is great news as this will help in mk2 going into early production by 29-30.

Let’s see.

 

[AK S]

HAL has always made very very positive announcements, till they start to repeatedly push forward the timelines.🤣😂

Jealous and anxious French lobby.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Taareekh pe taarekh from 2023, to 2024 now 2025.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Chances of early rollout in 2025 is very low, if it happens it is great news as this will help in mk2 going into early production by 29-30.

After first flight in 2026 they will take atleast 4-5 years to test validate and certify. 1 year for cost negotiations and production order. 3 more years for delivering first plane. So expect first mk2 to be delivered not before 2034.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

HAL - One of the only unique Aerospace GIANT in the world, where starting work on producing a prototype is considered a Milestone.

This has to be the lowest benchmark ever set by a corporation for itself in the history of mankind.

For a comparison: Shenyang aircraft corporation moved from a model F60 in September 2011 to a Airframe reveal of a Fifth Generation FC-31 in November 2014, withing 3 years straight, financed completely with internal funding and no government funding.

 

[prabar]

After first flight in 2026 they will take atleast 4-5 years to test validate and certify. 1 year for cost negotiations and production order. 3 more years for delivering first plane. So expect first mk2 to be delivered not before 2034.

Not before 2050. This is HAL we are talking about

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

News flash: HAL tightens 69th screw on upcoming tejas mk2 affirming their unwavering resolve to make a single engine jet in record 15 year time. More news to come when 70th screw will be tightened.

Stay tuned.

 

[RalphRearden]

Wonderful news to start a day!!!

I have been saying for a long time that all of the design and development, test, and integration from Tejas IA will accrue positively for Tejas Mk 2 and all of its phases can be accelerated.

Sad part is that GoI and MoD and IAF did not push for clearance by CCS as soon as Tejas IA FOC has been completed and lost lots of time in all cycles.

Remember most of the subsystems that India is using on Tejas IA are also useful for Tejas Mk2 albeit with much more powerful and efficient with powerful engine and internal spaces.

If DRDO, ADA, and HAL tries very hard, then late 2025 target can be achievable.

I am positive that ADA, DRDO and HAL are under heavy stress and strain.

Way to go!!!

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

 

[NSR]

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

It works like that in West where I live because of capitalism
In India, it is a different cup of tea and practice with heavy state involvement.
You have some other good points of interest.

 

[Sandeep]

HAL - One of the only unique Aerospace GIANT in the world, where starting work on producing a prototype is considered a Milestone.

This has to be the lowest benchmark ever set by a corporation for itself in the history of mankind.

For a comparison: Shenyang aircraft corporation moved from a model F60 in September 2011 to a Airframe reveal of a Fifth Generation FC-31 in November 2014, withing 3 years straight, financed completely with internal funding and no government funding.

The only reason why China has developed a jet so quickly is because they steal a lot of foreign technology and the Chinese did finance the company as developing a brand new advanced prototype would cost billions and China doesn’t sell any advanced fighter jets to recuperate that investment with any sales. So your information isn’t reliable.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

The only reason why China has developed a jet so quickly is because they steal a lot of foreign technology

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?

So your information isn’t reliable.

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.