IAF Commits to 120 Tejas Mk2 Jets, with Potential for 250+ to Entirely Replace Aging Jaguar, Mirage, and MiG-29 Fleets by 2040

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has made a significant commitment to the Tejas Mk2 program, a cornerstone of India's push for indigenous defence capabilities. According to an IAF official, the service has committed to procuring 120 Tejas Mk2 jets, with the potential for this number to climb to over 250 units within the next decade.

This commitment is part of the IAF's broader strategy to modernize and enhance its combat fleet. The IAF has already placed orders for 220 Tejas Mk1/Mk1A aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with 32 already in service and 83 Tejas Mk1A aircraft currently on order. With plans for an additional 97 units, the IAF is set to surpass the 147 units of the HF-24 Marut, India's first indigenous jet fighter.

The Tejas Mk2 will play a crucial role in this modernization effort, eventually replacing the entire fleet of Jaguar, Mirage-2000, and MiG-29 aircraft, which together number over 250. These aging aircraft are being gradually phased out, with a complete replacement plan expected to unfold between 2030 and 2040.

With a firm commitment of 120 units and the potential for orders to reach 250, the Tejas Mk2 is poised to become a core component of the IAF's fleet. Powered by the GE-F414 engine, the Tejas Mk2 is expected to fulfill a wide range of operational requirements, from air superiority and strike missions to close air support and reconnaissance.

Interestingly, there is also potential for the Tejas Mk2 to be equipped with a more powerful 110kN engine in the future, linked to the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's fifth-generation fighter jet program. This engine upgrade could further enhance the Tejas Mk2's performance capabilities.

However, the timeline for this upgrade depends on the availability of the new engine, which is expected to be developed after 2035. Therefore, the Tejas Mk2 may transition to the 110kN engine after the IAF has inducted its initial batch of aircraft, potentially after the initial production phase.

By 2035 to 2040, the IAF's total order for the Tejas Mk2 could significantly increase, ensuring that the aircraft remains a key component of India's air combat capabilities for decades to come. The Tejas Mk2 program represents a major step towards self-reliance in defence technology and is set to play a vital role in the IAF's future.

 

IAF Initiates Limited Procurement of Astra Mk2 Air-to-Air Missiles, 160km Range and Advanced Seeker Expected HAL Aims to Achieve 90% Indigenous Content in AMCA Mk2 by 2033, Powered by Indian-Developed 110kN Engine

[Anant]

The folks at HAL can't deliver a single Tejas MK 1A over nine months after schedule, don't have a Tejas Mk 2 prototype yet, and are having dreams about 200 or 250 jets.

I suppose each of us should dream about being the MD or something or our companies while we are sitting for the hiring interview.

 

[Admiral kanhoji angre]

It needs to fly this year or early next year. Timelines are going haywire...

 

[Bks98]

Defence Ministry must warn ADA/HAL to speed up the Mk2 And AMCA program. Review should be done every quarter to avoid project schedule slip out. Sufficient assembly line should ensure parallel delivery of MK1A, MK2, AMCA.

 

[Anonymus]

The folks at HAL can't deliver a single Tejas MK 1A over nine months after schedule, don't have a Tejas Mk 2 prototype yet, and are having dreams about 200 or 250 jets.

I suppose each of us should dream about being the MD or something or our companies while we are sitting for the hiring interview.

Ask ge deliver the engine first

 

[abhinav srivastava]

They must expedite AMCA along with LCA mk2. Late development of AMCA would mean more number of 4th gen platforms and lesser number of 5th gen platforms.

 

[Satya Dev]

Let's hope for the best but the present goal is for HAL to deliver 80+ Tejas-Mk1A to IAF.

 

[Dare Devil]

Then why are we buying MRFA? Can someone from IAF or MoD explain ? 200+ Tejas MK2 + 197 Tejas MK1/1A + 250+ Sukhoi + 36 Rafale...All Sukhois replaced with AMCA...i dont understand where does MRFA fit here, only the engine deal with SAFRAN makes sense and the 26 Naval rafales to replace Mig-29k

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

So where is the Tejas mk2? Rather where is Tejas mk1a? And the F414 engines ?

200+ by 2040 will come if we start by 2030 given the pace of the manufacturing and scale of HAL,

with over Tejas mk1a 190+ to be completed

 

[Rama Hota]

Time is running out for IAF, need to order minimum 54 F35 / SU 57 on urgent
Pakistan will receive 5 th generation fighter very soon.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

So where is the Tejas mk2? Rather where is Tejas mk1a? And the F414 engines ?

200+ by 2040 will come if we start by 2030 given the pace of the manufacturing and scale of HAL,

with over Tejas mk1a 190+ to be completed

GE F414 will be produced locally in next 1-2 years and then every product in the pipeline will rollout one after another.

 

[Anant]

Ask ge deliver the engine first

1. HAL has a few engines in their inventory that could have been used.

2. They have engines for the Mk 1 trainers. Why haven't they delivered those yet?

See, I am not saying GE is not to blame. They most certainly are. However, the lion's share is with HAL.

 

[vinod nair]

Why can't we use the AL-31 minus the afterburning section instead of the F414 or F404, as it has a dry thrust of 90 kN and the same diameter of 35.6 inches?

 

[Rinku Pandey]

GE F414 will be produced locally in next 1-2 years and then every product in the pipeline will rollout one after another.

It will take 3 yrs after contract is signed for ge414.

 

[What the heck]

1. HAL has a few engines in their inventory that could have been used.

2. They have engines for the Mk 1 trainers. Why haven't they delivered those yet?

See, I am not saying GE is not to blame. They most certainly are. However, the lion's share is with HAL.

They just said that they only have used engines, they are supposed to receive 1-2 engines in March 2025.

 

[Anant]

They just said that they only have used engines, they are supposed to receive 1-2 engines in March 2025.

Fine, I'll bite for the Tejas Mk 1A. The other question remains: Where are the Tejas Mk 1 trainers?

See, HAL received 75 F404s from the US in the first tranche. Of these, you have used 35 in the jets in active service, 1 on the jet that was lost, one on the first Tejas Mk 1A, and 19 in the prototypes, LSP aircraft, etc. That is 56 in total.

Now, that leaves 19 engines, part of which would be in the IAF reserve. For 35 jets, one would assume a maximum of 12-ish engines (one-third, which is about the usual inventory level for engine spares) in IAF inventory. A few engines might have been worn out in testing. However, unless we managed to wear out 8 or so engines in testing (again, unlikely) and have left all those old prototypes and the like on the ground with the engine still fitted (which isn't usually done), or unless the IAF has decided to maintain an artificially large number of engines in inventory, then there would be spare engines.

 

[Sandeep]

Why can't we use the AL-31 minus the afterburning section instead of the F414 or F404, as it has a dry thrust of 90 kN and the same diameter of 35.6 inches?

Different length and width, different wiring, different pipes, fuel lines and positioning. Also they were asking for a higher price and lost out to the cheaper F414 engine.

 

[Sandeep]

We will definitely need more of these jets. However they can also use the TEDBF to increase and improve our firepower as its design is much more advanced, has a stronger air frame and efficient as they just have to remove the tail hook at the end along with it being faster and having two engines but it’s still under design.

 

[Ashram]

What about the Gripen fighter. They are ready to share TOT and have a presence in india for long. Atleast a few squadrons can be produced with the Tatas or Mahindras

 

[soham roy]

Ask ge deliver the engine first

Who thought that buying an American Engine was the best option? The people who made the Jet: HAL. There were a lot of people who were happy with a Russian or an European Engine.

 

[Torontodude]

MoD needs to add a minimum of 2-3 private sector companies now to build Tejas. Because it will take 2-3 years for a comprehensive facility to take shape

 

[Sanjay Limbani]

If new 110kN thrust engine will be of the same dimensions as GE F-414 then it will fit into the Tejas Mk-2.

Otherwise major modifications will be required into the airframe this again certifications and it will lead to the delay and complications.

 

[Tim Mugaseth]

Oh yeah, sure. 250 jets, 500 jets, tomorrow IAF will place orders for 1000 jets, etc., etc., etc. Then we read that HAL has got export orders, etc., etc., etc. This white elephant is truly slower than a sloth. It's taken a freaking 20 years to deliver 38 jets, lol. I said that earlier and am saying it again: the government should privatize HAL, just get rid of this useless, slow-moving elephant. We have great companies like TATA, Kalyani, BHEL, L&T, and many more who can easily pick up the mantle and actually deliver goods. HAL: Hindustan Always Lethargic.

 

[JB]

Assuming all goes as planned {history speaks otherwise) the IAF will be operating with a 4.5 gen core fighter in 2040 while the enemy toys with projects involving 7 gen technologies. Is this strategic planning or a fool's errand? Admittedly it's the latter !!!

 

[Jack Bal]

They just said that they only have used engines, they are supposed to receive 1-2 engines in March 2025.

The jet is not ready for production. There are many engines around sitting at HAL warehouses. Do you think they do have engines for the Tejas 1? They have at least 29 spare new engines. They were still deciding of the spec in March 2024.

people are so gullible.