The Indian Air Force (IAF) was correct in its decision to not pursue a variant of the Navy's Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, according to prominent defence analysts.
The TEDBF, a 4.5++ generation fighter intended for aircraft carrier operations, has faced significant developmental delays, making it unsuitable for the IAF's modernization plans, which are now focused on the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The TEDBF program, managed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in cooperation with the Indian Navy, was originally conceived as a twin-engine, multi-role fighter to replace the Navy's MiG-29K aircraft currently operating from the INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.
Initial plans were ambitious, targeting a first flight by 2026 and operational capability by 2029, pending approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) by late 2023. At one point, a potential Air Force variant of the TEDBF was considered to promote shared development costs and component commonality.
However, the program has encountered numerous setbacks. Design modifications required to meet the demanding requirements of carrier-based operations—including a folding wing design, an improved thrust-to-weight ratio, and catapult-assisted take-off systems—have pushed back critical milestones.
The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR) have been postponed, and CCS approval is now not expected before 2027-28. As a result, the TEDBF's first flight is now projected for 2030, with induction into service pushed back to 2038 – almost a full decade later than first planned.
Defence analysts now believe that the IAF's decision to withdraw from consideration of a TEDBF variant was prudent. The original timeline, which suggested a first flight in 2026 and induction in 2029, initially made a potential Air Force version of the TEDBF seem plausible.
A twin-engine fighter with advanced avionics, AESA radar, and supercruise capabilities could have potentially filled a capability gap between the IAF's existing fleet and the forthcoming 5th-generation AMCA. However, the revised induction date of 2038 makes the TEDBF largely irrelevant to the IAF's immediate needs.
By the late 2030s, the IAF plans to begin retiring its older 4th-generation aircraft, such as the Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29. Concurrently, it plans to integrate the 4.5-generation Tejas Mk2 and the 5th-generation AMCA into its fleet.
Introducing another 4.5++ generation platform like the TEDBF at that time would be counterproductive, placing the IAF a generation behind its strategic goals while other nations move towards 6th-generation fighter technology. This simply does not fit within the IAF's established modernization strategy.
The Tejas Mk2 and the AMCA programs, are better aligned with the IAF's needs and technological goals. The Tejas Mk2 is designed to address capability gaps in the early 2030s, and the AMCA will provide a state-of-the-art, 5th-generation capability by the mid-2030s.
The TEDBF, with a projected arrival of 2038, would be redundant and would not support the IAF's strategy for potential conflicts with Pakistan and China.
The delays in the TEDBF program are partially attributed to the specific requirements of the Indian Navy, which significantly differ from those of the IAF. Carrier operations necessitate a heavier airframe, strengthened landing gear, and compatibility with catapult launch and arrested recovery systems. These features increase both complexity and expense.
The IAF, which primarily operates from land bases and prioritizes rapid deployment, has no need for these naval adaptations. A substantial redesign would have been necessary to create an Air Force version of the TEDBF, undermining any potential cost savings from shared development.
Furthermore, the Navy's relatively small projected fleet size of 45-50 TEDBFs limits the benefits of economies of scale when compared to the IAF's larger procurement needs. The IAF requires a larger number of aircraft and advanced technology, rather than a specialized naval fighter adapted to its requirements.
Analysts recommend that the IAF focus on speeding up the development of both the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA programs. It is suggested that the government expedite the full-scale development of the AMCA and ensure that HAL adheres to the established timelines for the Mk2.
Additionally, leveraging force multipliers, such as Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) and aerial refueling tankers, can extend the operational life of the current fleet, thereby freeing up resources for these key modernization priorities.
