Analysis How Indian Navy's 5th-Gen Fighter Jet Vision by 2047 Casts Shadow of Doubt over TEDBF Program's Future

The future of India's Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program appears uncertain following the Indian Navy's recent announcement of its ambition to operate a fifth-generation deck-based fighter by 2047. This revelation, made at the Naval Conference, has raised questions about the long-term viability of the TEDBF, which is currently classified as a "minus 5th generation" aircraft.

The TEDBF, a project spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), was showcased as a scaled model at Aero India 2025. Intended to fulfill the Indian Navy's future operational requirements, the program has been assigned a revised timeline with induction expected to commence no earlier than 2038. However, the Navy's stated goal of fielding a fully-fledged fifth-generation fighter jet by 2047 throws the TEDBF's role into question.

While both ADA and Indian Navy officials remained tight-lipped about the specifics during Aero India 2025, acknowledging ongoing discussions, the situation highlights a potential mismatch in long-term visions. The TEDBF, in its current design, lacks key fifth-generation characteristics such as an internal weapons bay and advanced stealth coating.

Although an ADA official conceded that the TEDBF could potentially be upgraded to incorporate such features, this would necessitate a significant redesign, impacting 70-80% of the aircraft. Such an undertaking would likely involve considerable time and resources, potentially delaying the project further.

This is not the first time the Indian Navy has expressed interest in fifth-generation fighter jets. Nearly a decade ago, the Navy received an official briefing from Lockheed Martin on the F-35B and F-35C, further fueling speculation about their interest in acquiring these advanced aircraft.

The Indian Navy's Vision 2047 has brought the future of indigenous deck-based fighter development to a crossroads. The coming years will be critical in determining whether the TEDBF program will be adapted to meet the Navy's evolving requirements or if a new project for a true fifth-generation fighter will be initiated. This decision will undoubtedly shape the Indian Navy's capabilities and force projection in the decades to come.

 

[Dredd]

2038 is a very long-term plan... By 2040, sixth-generation aircraft will be operational or in the process of being developed into a naval variant. By that time, India will not be able to acquire fourth-generation aircraft and will be at a huge disadvantage.

In my understanding, India can abandon this TEDBF aircraft and give priority to the full AMCA and the Navy AMCA...

Finally, some sense prevails in Indian Navy leadership. Having a 4.5 gen fighter in 2040 was as stupid an idea as it can get. Now with clarity in mind, I hope they go for an optionally manned jet design for TEDBF.

TEDBF was a good idea if executed in this decade, but it's a crime if you roll out a 4.5 gen jet 15 years from now.

 

[Anant]

This happens when you have less knowledge. HMS carriers don't have EMALS, still operate F-35. I know they are F-35B, but a little upgradation can easily operate F-35C from STOBAR as F-35 is capable enough to be operated from short take-off.
I know the difference between STOBAR, CATOBAR, and EMALS.

No, they cannot. The Brits had initially planned to use the F-35C when the QEs were planned to have catapults. Later on, when they were instead planned to be completed in STOBAR configuration, tests were done, and it was found that the F-35C would have very serious operational constraints on payload on a STOBAR deck, which then led to the decision for the UK to get F-35Bs.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Hope Naval AMCA will be green lighted and will have similar timelines as TEDBF, maybe an extra year or two.

 

[PKPRS]

I don't think so Navy will go for F-35C after Rafale deal.

We are not getting Rafale-M if we get 3 F35C for the price of one Rafale-M F3R with the slowest engine and questionable usefulness in Skijump.

 

[Sandeep]

There is a strict necessity for the TEDBF and this jet won’t be scrapped at all. In future they will need to develop a 5th generation naval jet but only when they can maintain its stealth material and paint for a longer period of time. Currently the corrosive sea water and weather removes the jets stealth capability and it requires a lot of time and money to maintain its stealth capability at sea.

Also the delay for rolling it out is a problem as we have an empty carrier and we need to replace the Mig 29 as well. If we order another carrier then the demand will increase which will increase the final count. Also there could be the possibility that the air force buys a different variant to boost their double engine 4.5th generation fighter as this jet will be better equipped and have a more advanced technology.

 

[Anant]

The F-18 and Rafale M demonstrated quite capable STOBAR performance and both of them are primarily designed for CATOBAR, so F-35C with 190kn engine will meet requirements

No, it won't. You are forgetting a few things here. The F-18E/F has two engines for a total wet thrust of 196 kN against an empty weight of 11.5 tons and MTOW of 30 tons. The Rafale M has two engines for a total wet thrust of 150 kN on an empty weight of 10.3 tons and MTOW of 24.5 tons. The F-35C has one engine generating 190 kN thrust on an empty weight of 13.3 tons and a MTOW of 30 tons.

The F-35 has a comparable thrust and MTOW to the F-18E/F, but has an empty weight that is almost 2 tons higher. Moreover, as the F-18E/F and Rafale M have shown, there is a compromise to be made over payload when using them off a ski-jump. That extra 2 tons of dead weight will have to come off the payload if you try to use a F-35C off a STOBAR carrier, which will make it that much less efficient.

 

[Anant]

We are not getting Rafale-M if we get 3 F35C for the price of one Rafale-M F3R with the slowest engine and questionable usefulness in Skijump.

Not sure where you got that 3 F-35C for one Rafale M statistic from, but in the best case scenario, both would be similarly priced.

 

[The Sixth Sense]

They can want it, but the fact remains that with our STOBAR carriers, the F-35C is not a viable option.

We are making a supercarrier (75t) just for this, so no Rafale-M.

 

[venkat]

for imports, no tests, no trials and no money problems.

 

[The Sixth Sense]

Not sure where you got that 3 F-35C for one Rafale M statistic from, but in the best case scenario, both would be similarly priced.

Rafale-M is over $300Mln each.

 

[Quantum]

Navy Wants F-35C.

US already offered GOI both F35C and F35B in 2010, so there is a chance for multi jet deal provided we also buy 114 F21, it might be followed with F35C & F35B initially and the F35A later.

 

[beencensured]

5th Gen's stealth is very important in today's warfare. Everyone has modern surface to air missiles now and more are being sold on the market. A 4th gen aircraft would have a very tough time operating in a contested airspace. That is why stealth is important.

May I suggest dropping the Rafale navy as it is worthless. Still, they can make AMCA naval stealth, or TEDBF stealth. 2047 is really stupid regressive planning as we need today not tomorrow. If Modi is hell-bent on F-35 then it is another thing, but diplomacy is never with national defence.

 

[Sunny]

No, it won't. You are forgetting a few things here. The F-18E/F has two engines for a total wet thrust of 196 kN against an empty weight of 11.5 tons and MTOW of 30 tons. The Rafale M has two engines for a total wet thrust of 150 kN on an empty weight of 10.3 tons and MTOW of 24.5 tons. The F-35C has one engine generating 190 kN thrust on an empty weight of 13.3 tons and a MTOW of 30 tons.

The F-35 has a comparable thrust and MTOW to the F-18E/F, but has an empty weight that is almost 2 tons higher. Moreover, as the F-18E/F and Rafale M have shown, there is a compromise to be made over payload when using them off a ski-jump. That extra 2 tons of dead weight will have to come off the payload if you try to use a F-35C off a STOBAR carrier, which will make it that much less efficient.

While the figures you mentioned above may be correct, all aircraft that operate from STOBAR will not be able to use it's full payload capability compared to when operating from CATOBAR or land bases. The MIG-29K, Rafale M and F-18E/F have some limitations. In the end if the F-35C does not meet the Navy's requirements then it should not be considered.

 

[Phantom]

Navy Wants F-35C.

It is good for the Navy if they don't get the expensive $300Mln 4th gen Rafale-M. The F-35C also has folding wingtips unlike the Rafale-M, so there is no problem fitting inside the elevator. But there is one caveat: it is not designed to take off from a ski jump, but the F-35B can with a 15t payload because of its powerful LIFT System.

 

[Santosh munde advocate]

Now for the next 4 to 5 years, we keep discussing Rafale vs F-35, meanwhile, China adds hundreds of J-20 and PAF will get J-31.

 

[Python]

The IN has taken a good decision.A 4.5 gen fighter being inducted during 2038 makes no sense where most of the countries would have 5th gen instead we should develop a navalised version of amca.
But If tedbf should be aborted it done quickly because it may waste time and money.

 

[Koorma]

The IN has taken a good decision.A 4.5 gen fighter being inducted during 2038 makes no sense where most of the countries would have 5th gen instead we should develop a navalised version of amca.
But If tedbf should be aborted it done quickly because it may waste time and money.

It's a bad decision. Because if TEDBF is ready, all you have to do is to upgrade it. Just as is happening with the other foreign made planes.

 

[Koorma]

Fully agree with IN. Which force will accept a 4+ gen aircraft in the year 2038? Shame on our aero sector developing & manufacturing agencies.

You seem not to realize that by rejection of indigenous products, the ecosystem will never be built up. And that is exactly what the military leaders eye: no Indian capabilities.

 

[Python]

It's a bad decision. Because if TEDBF is ready, all you have to do is to upgrade it. Just as is happening with the other foreign made planes.

How can you upgrade a 4th gen to a fifth gen.It's design is based on stealth design but 4th gen doesn't have any stealth.All we can do is equipping it with more advanced radars and missiles.

 

[PKPRS]

I don't think so Navy will go for F-35C after Rafale deal.

There was never a Rafale Deal, it is still stuck under price negotiations.

 

[RaphV]

I think F-35B makes the most sense now if it is indeed offered. Air force should stick to AMCA, as they already have too many different aircrafts. But I think the Navy can handle operating the F-35s. We should cancel the Rafales for the Navy, change that Rafale order from Navy to the Airforce. And let the Navy operate F-35s from the carriers as well as some bases like Andaman & Nicobar.

 

[Surfer]

While the figures you mentioned above may be correct, all aircraft that operate from STOBAR will not be able to use it's full payload capability compared to when operating from CATOBAR or land bases. The MIG-29K, Rafale M and F-18E/F have some limitations. In the end if the F-35C does not meet the Navy's requirements then it should not be considered.

F35C with a single engine is not good for stowbar, but F35B can be because of its strong LIFT system.

 

[legolas4444]

I think India will make a big mistake if it buys F35s from the US. F35 fighter jet is like a slavery system