Opinion How Tejas Mk2 with Twin 75kN Kaveri Engines Could Offer India a Potent Indigenous Alternative to Costly Foreign Jets under MRFA

A new conceptual design is sparking discussion about India's indigenous aerospace capabilities. Kuntal Biswas, a prominent Indian 3D military system and defence animation specialist, has unveiled a rendering of a twin-engine variant of the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet.

This visionary concept imagines the aircraft powered by two indigenous Kaveri engines, each potentially delivering 75kN of thrust, placing its projected performance in a similar category to established international fighters like the French Dassault Rafale.

Mr. Biswas's design envisions an evolution of the Tejas Mk2, originally planned as a single-engine medium aircraft, into a more powerful twin-engine multirole combat platform.

Key features in his concept include canard-delta wings for enhanced agility, an Indian-developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and a suite of homegrown weapons systems.

With an estimated Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) around 24 tonnes, this proposed configuration aims for capabilities comparable to the Rafale, which operates with twin Snecma M-88 engines also rated at 75kN thrust each.

Central to this concept is the potential use of an advanced version of the Kaveri engine, a long-term project of the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE).

While the Kaveri program has faced developmental hurdles, Mr. Biswas's design assumes a future iteration capable of consistently producing 75kN per engine. This would provide the conceptual Tejas Mk2 with a combined thrust of 150kN, theoretically equipping it with the power necessary for demanding modern air combat operations and multirole versatility, mirroring the Rafale's 24.5-tonne MTOW and proven performance.

Strategically, such an aircraft could address a specific need within the Indian Air Force (IAF). Currently, the IAF operates the lightweight single-engine Tejas Mk1A and is developing the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

A twin-engine, medium-weight fighter in the 20-25 tonne class, as depicted by Mr. Biswas, could fill the gap between these categories. It potentially offers an indigenous option for the capabilities sought under the IAF's Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement plan, which is currently considering expensive foreign platforms.

The visual renderings produced by Mr. Biswas effectively translate technical possibilities into a compelling design, highlighting potential improvements in thrust-to-weight ratio and weapon payload capacity over the single-engine version.

Enthusiastic responses on social media platforms, including suggestions like "Super-Tejas," indicate public interest in seeing such indigenous concepts pursued by organisations like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the IAF.

The comparison to the Rafale is relevant, as the French jet is known for its versatility across air-to-air, strike, and reconnaissance roles – capabilities that a twin-engine Tejas could aspire to replicate for India's specific defence requirements.

However, transforming this concept into a flying reality involves overcoming significant technical challenges. The Kaveri engine program requires further development to achieve the reliability, performance consistency, and potentially lower weight needed for serial production and operational deployment.

Integrating twin engines would also necessitate a major redesign of the existing Tejas airframe, impacting structures, air intakes, and internal systems – a complex engineering task. Continued investment, and possibly international collaboration on engine technology, would likely be essential.

Despite these hurdles, Mr. Biswas's conceptual work underscores the potential within India's defence and aerospace sector. It presents a vision for a powerful, homegrown fighter jet that aligns with the national goal of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) in defence.

If realised, a twin-engine Tejas Mk2 could significantly reduce India's dependence on foreign military imports for its medium fighter needs, providing a boost to the domestic industry while offering a capable platform tailored to the nation's strategic environment.

 

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[Ammoman]

Let's see how the 1 and 1a do first. There still is a lot of integration work to be done. I am talking about weapon packages, radars, networks. I haven't read much about that.

India better not send Babus around the world trying to sell it, at least for 5 years to prove it up. Lets not have a Tejas 1 joke, we are trying to sell them when we can't ever deliver the first order. Everyone wants to travel the world first class with 5 star hotels.

We use a US engine that will be used to bully India around. Look at Columbia with the Saab Grippon. No Grippon for Columbia because Trump wants the F-16 exported.

 

[Quantum]

Why not, there is a twin-engine naval jet design also from HAL. It would be easier to make mods to MK2 to fit a twin engine and make two variants for both the IAF and Indian Navy instead of designing from scratch like TEDBF. It is pretty sure that we are not going for either Rafale or the EF Typhoon or any US jets, because of the interest shown towards Tempest. As we don’t have much time for this, we should at least explore the possibility. It’s a good idea nevertheless.

 

[sanket]

No, there is no chance for the twin engine Tejas MK2. It will take another decade to fine-tune the Kaveri engine and design for a twin engine aircraft. Then prototypes, bla bla, MRFA will happen and Dassault or a Russian fighter jet is likely to win.

 

[Omm Pratyush]

Nope, changing engine configuration will come with design remodeling. Doing this will take another 10+ years, only design review and realisation taking about 3 years, prototype 3 years, flight 5 years minimum, and God knows when Kaveri engines will be ready for powering fighter jets with it being ~200kg overweight. Lastly, increased maintenance for being twin-engined.

 

[Abs29]

I think it does not hold any promise with regards to replacing MRFA as the schedule is not conducive, but the idea itself has potential and needs to be explored independently, separate from the MRFA requirement. It could potentially replace the ageing fleet of Jaguar and may even supplement Rafale in Offensive Counter-Air (OCA) operations, while leading the Defensive Counter-Air (DCA) operations on the homefront.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

100 kg overweight is not a big issue. Tejas has 300 kg of dead weight. Although it will be good if the engine's weight is reduced by 100 kg.

 

[हरिः व्योम]

I think it does not hold any promise with regards to replacing MRFA as the schedule is not conducive, but the idea itself has potential and needs to be explored independently, separate from the MRFA requirement. It could potentially replace the ageing fleet of Jaguar and may even supplement Rafale in Offensive Counter-Air (OCA) operations, while leading the Defensive Counter-Air (DCA) operations on the homefront.

So, you say it doesn't hold, so it doesn't hold.

 

[हरिः व्योम]

Keep in mind that Kaveri is flat-rated for all levels and conditions. That means its max thrust is anywhere from 2 kN to a max of 15 kN extra, based on conditions.

 

[Sentoki]

Like everything else in Indian defence ecosystem, this is very much a case of what could have been or might have been.

Any sensible country would have started on this effort in 2018 when ordering 36 Rafales. You already had a 73kN engine by then which is practically the same output as the Rafale, just needed to shed some weight which could have been achieved.

Instead, you gut the program because our dear IAF was besotted by the dream of imported stuff, and now when the world is turning adversarial with strained supply chains, you are now scrambling and second-guessing what could have been.

Now, with MK2 and AMCA as priorities, you have no bandwidth to take on this or even make an ORCA from the TEDBF design. So yet again, you are going to let the Kaveri go dormant and collect cobwebs.

 

[Abs29]

So, you say it doesn't hold, so it doesn't hold.

Dude, it's not me who needs coffee, but rather you who needs one, and a strong one at that. What part of the schedule, not conducive for it to be considered for MRFA replacement, did you not understand? I have clearly maintained the idea has merit and has the potential to be considered independently from MRFA procurement, as MRFA is required now, not some 10-20 years down the line.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

just needed to shed some weight which could have been achieved.

IAF was besotted by the dream of imported stuff.

 

[R. Singh]

Let Rafale F-5 come but Indian Pvt firm's consortium should come forward with twin engine MWF powered by Kaveri 2.0 engines may for export to African and Latin American countries !

 

[swatkats_razor]

How about a 3D render of a 4-engine Tejas Mk-3?
Will it easily replace the 6.866 G requirement?

 

[Rinku Pandey]

PMO should step in and dictate to HAL/IAF, use only Kaveri in Mk1A, Mk2, and AMCA. GOI shouldn't give CCS approval to any fighter without Kaveri.

 

[Mc Addy]

Get that engin started and made by 100s and end this topic

 

[Sambit Ranjan]

IAF was besotted by the dream of imported stuff.

What do you expect from IAF when GOVT provides nothing for R&D!!! You want IAF to wait for another 20 years with 70 years old jets by not importing??

 

[Sambit Ranjan]

PMO should step in and dictate to HAL/IAF, use only Kaveri in Mk1A, Mk2, and AMCA. GOI shouldn't give CCS approval to any fighter without Kaveri.

Govt can't dictate because they don't provide enough for R&D. Do you expect scientists to spend from their pockets to do experiments?

 

[Nahian Ramim]

Indians should reduce the number of projects and focus on a few key projects. India surely doesn't have the manpower, time, and funding to do it all. Indian projects are too many. This Mk2 is a nice project, but they should combine it with AMCA, like developing equipment for AMCA which can also be used in Tejas Mk2. I don't see it flying before 2030 though, with a reliable Kaveri engine.

 

[Sandeep]

Govt can't dictate because they don't provide enough for R&D. Do you expect scientists to spend from their pockets to do experiments?

The government did provide HAL with a lot of funds to develop an engine but they failed as they lacked the advanced knowledge, education, experience and highly skilled people to develop it.

Still we managed to develop a 50kn for the UCAV Ghatak drone and looking at developing the Kaveri Marine Engine.

 

[Kira]

I think it does not hold any promise with regards to replacing MRFA as the schedule is not conducive, but the idea itself has potential and needs to be explored independently, separate from the MRFA requirement. It could potentially replace the ageing fleet of Jaguar and may even supplement Rafale in Offensive Counter-Air (OCA) operations, while leading the Defensive Counter-Air (DCA) operations on the homefront.

Not much wisdom in investing in another 4th Gen fighter. India should only concentrate on 5th gen birds by the advent of the next decade.

Even if it has similarities with the Tejas, it would cost much more and the schedule would be totally messed up anyways.

 

[Sandeep]

The government shouldn’t try and develop a twin engine Tejas MK2 at all. If we want a double engine jet like the Rafale then we should modify the TEDBF into an air force variant as we would have to make fewer changes. That would be a more cost effective and quicker solution as they can adapt it much easier and it will be a more advanced jet in that class.

 

[Rokuth]

If you squint, you will see that the TEDBF concept is essentially a twin engine Tejas, with stealth upgrades. Instead of pursuing another production line, why not consolidate it on a de-navalized TEDBF? It will save costs, reduce the logistics train, and kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Besides, how long will a twin engine Tejas take to design, test, prototype, flight test, and then finally go into production? If it ends up mirroring the TEDBF timeline, wouldn't it be more rational to go with the TEDBF? It has been shown that de-navalized fighters like the F-4 Phantom II and the A-7 Corsair II were excellent at their roles as a landbased fighter and as a carrier based fighter.

 

[Abs29]

Not much wisdom in investing in another 4th Gen fighter. India should only concentrate on 5th gen birds by the advent of the next decade.

Even if it has similarities with the Tejas, it would cost much more and the schedule would be totally messed up anyways.

The thing is, the obscenely expensive operational costs of fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 and future sixth-generation fighters like NGAD, GCAP, and FCAS preclude them from becoming ubiquitous standards throughout the entire air force. No country's air force, except maybe the US, can afford to have a fighter force totally equipped with advanced fifth-generation and upcoming sixth-generation fighters. There will always be a need for a relatively low-cost mud pusher once air superiority is fully established.

On another note, I agree that this cannot be at the cost of the current Tejas and needs to be explored independently of both MRFA, Tejas Mk-1, and even Mk-2 programs. Given the expectations of the IAF from Tejas Mk-2, the Mk-2 should always have been developed as a twin-engine fighter.

 

[Kumud Rai]

I see no hope for MRFA and Kaveri engine. The Kaveri engine has been plagued with problems since 1980. The GTRE scientists are just warming the chairs. No accountability. ISRO has done the most commendable job. The only way for India is to procure Russian 5th generation AL-51 engines from Russia for Tejas Mk 2. Can't rely on USA. They have an old track record for putting sanctions and betraying. France too can't be trusted. They made a U-turn on Saffron engine TOT. Russians are reliable and old weather friends. We need to involve Mahindra, Tatas, and IIT to develop the MRFA engine along with the Russian Aerospace team.