HAL Gears Up for Tejas Mk2 Rollout This November, Taxi Trials to Follow Through March 2026, Aero India 2025 to Witness Current Progress

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is on track to unveil the Tejas Mk2, India's advanced multi-role fighter, by November 2025. This significant milestone in the nation's indigenous fighter jet program is eagerly anticipated, with both HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) working closely to ensure its successful rollout.

In the lead-up to Aero India 2025, HAL and ADA are preparing to showcase major advancements in the Tejas Mk2 program. The first assembly jig for the aircraft has been established, and various fuselage sections are already in place for final assembly.

While the delivery of some systems and subsystems is still pending, most of the equipment is expected to arrive by mid-2025, facilitating the final assembly phase.

The initial, unofficial rollout of the Tejas Mk2 is likely to occur in November, followed by an official ceremony in December. The December date is being considered to accommodate the schedules of dignitaries, including potentially the Prime Minister.

Following the rollout, the Tejas Mk2 will undergo rigorous ground testing. HAL has planned low-speed and high-speed taxi trials from December 2025 to March 2026, designed to thoroughly evaluate the aircraft's systems and ensure they meet performance expectations before its maiden flight, which is currently scheduled for March 2026.

The Tejas Mk2 represents a significant leap forward from the existing Tejas Mk1/Mk1A. Designed as a bridge between the current generation of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the future fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the Mk2 boasts enhanced range, payload capacity, and advanced avionics.

The Indian Air Force anticipates that the Tejas Mk2 will serve as a versatile multi-role fighter, eventually replacing aging aircraft such as the Jaguars, MiG-29s, and Mirage 2000s.

The Tejas Mk2 program underscores India's commitment to developing a robust domestic defence industry and reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers. With its enhanced capabilities, the Tejas Mk2 is poised to play a crucial role in safeguarding India's airspace for decades to come.

 

[Anonymus]

End of November 2025 means year-end, which means if we add 2 to 3 months more delay as usual by Indian DPSU strategy, then in 2026 the first prototype will be built of Tejas Mk2. Great, in the era of 5th and 6th gen, we are struggling to make even 4th gen. Good work HAL, keep it up. The prototype which was supposed to be constructed by 2024 according to previous estimations and by 2025 the first flight, now by 2026 the first prototype, then by 2027 the first flight adding 4 years of trials and by 2032 limited series production and by 2035 full-scale production. When America, China, Europe, the Middle East, and Pakistan are flying 6th-gen jets, we will be flying 4th gen. Good.

 

[Ajay Singh]

Watch this space and how the dates drift … “… on track to roll out in November 2025…” it says; as if Nov 2025 was the target date and these guys are going to be right on the dot! The reality is there are no target dates and the Nov 2025 rollout will be subject to all kinds of changes, as indeed it has been over the years many times before. In all this drip feed of planted articles to the media, designed to keep up the illusion of a well planned and managed project is the grim reality of incompetence and lack of accountability.

 

[Anant]

Um, roll-out in late 2025 means a first flight by 2027. However, trials would take 5-6 years, not 4, which means full-scale production by 2035 is difficult.

 

[Rational Guy]

Um, roll-out in late 2025 means a first flight by 2027. However, trials would take 5-6 years, not 4, which means full-scale production by 2035 is difficult.

It takes 2 years from roll out to first flight?

 

[Sandeep]

Finally! I hope HAL doesn’t mess this up and stick to the deadline. We need these jets so they better be manufacturing 4 jets or more so they can run all of the tests quicker. We should increase the number of indigenous content and technology and especially in critical technology.

 

[Anant]

It takes 2 years from roll out to first flight?

15-18 months on average considering you have to do a lot of ground-based testing before the first flight.

 

[Rational Guy]

15-18 months on average considering you have to do a lot of ground-based testing before the first flight.

Why are they saying rollout in 2025 November and first flight 2026 March?

 

[MahaKaal]

Scrap the MK2, buy more rafael and go for Su-57, if and when AMCA arrives in time, we would at least have 2 5th gen fighter, all the future R&D should go to AMCA and 6th generation fighter.

 

[Prashant]

Tejas MK2 should have a different brand name to build its distinct identity from MK1