India's TEDBF Program Accelerates, Experts Suggest IAF Should Consider Modified TEDBF Over Foreign Fighter Jets in MRFA Tender

India's Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), is gaining momentum with recent approvals from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). A Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) clearance is expected next year, further solidifying the program's future.

While the TEDBF is primarily designed for the Indian Navy's aircraft carriers, experts suggest that the Indian Air Force (IAF) should seriously consider a modified TEDBF variant for its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, potentially replacing the need to acquire 114 foreign fighter jets.

The MRFA tender involves procuring foreign jets like the Rafale, F-21, or Gripen, which would entail significant expenditure in foreign exchange and offer limited Transfer of Technology (ToT). By procuring a modified TEDBF, the IAF could save resources by investing in an indigenous program.

Moreover, a land-based TEDBF variant, with a lighter airframe and modified landing gear, could be optimized for the IAF's specific operational requirements.

There are several advantages to aligning the IAF's needs with the TEDBF program:

• Boosting indigenous capabilities: Supporting the TEDBF program would strengthen India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing and potentially accelerate development timelines.
• Commonality and logistical efficiency: Fielding the TEDBF for both the Navy and Air Force would simplify logistics, maintenance, and training by using a common airframe, reducing costs associated with maintaining diverse fleets.
• Advanced capabilities: The TEDBF is being designed as a cutting-edge 4.5-generation fighter with advanced avionics, superior maneuverability, and multirole capabilities, making it suitable for the IAF's air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance roles.

Experts argue that relying on foreign platforms through the MRFA tender has several drawbacks:

• Limited technology transfer: Most MRFA contenders offer limited ToT, hindering India's long-term defence goals.
• Delays and uncertainties: The MRFA tender has faced delays, with no clear timeline for contract finalization or deliveries.
• Geopolitical vulnerabilities: Relying on foreign platforms makes India susceptible to geopolitical pressures and potential supply chain disruptions.

A modified TEDBF for the IAF could offer several advantages:

• Reduced weight and increased efficiency: By removing the heavy-duty landing gear and structural reinforcements required for carrier operations, the TEDBF could be redesigned as a lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft.
• Enhanced joint operations: A unified fighter platform across the Navy and Air Force would bolster joint operations and reduce the learning curve for pilots transitioning between services.

The TEDBF program presents a significant opportunity for India to advance its indigenous fighter jet development capabilities. By cancelling the MRFA tender and aligning with the TEDBF initiative, the IAF could save resources, strengthen the nation's defence ecosystem, and boost its strategic autonomy and self-reliance. A lighter, Air Force-specific TEDBF variant could effectively meet operational requirements while contributing to India's broader goals in defence technology.

 

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[R. Singh]

TEDBF will be economically viable if IAF join the program to make ORCA because AMCA is far far away !

 

[sanket]

Fighter jets under MRFA can be delivered much faster than the TEDBF air force variant, while the first TEDBF might be inducted only after 2034. Second, the European consortium has denied Meteor integration on indigenous fighter jets as per recent news. At least an air superiority fleet of 150 Rafale is needed.

 

[Anonymus]

The IAF will cancel MRFA as they don't have the budget to spend 30 billion USD to buy just 3 squadrons of Rafales. The rest of the money must be used in the development of indigenous capabilities.

 

[raju]

TEDBF is a waste of Time and Money, Both IAF and IN should join to develop AMCA is their future variant of fighter aircraft (Like Rafale). this is the right way to reduce the cost and Time.

 

[Kailash]

MRFA was a requirement that should have materialized 15 years ago. TEDBF is a requirement that may or may not materialize within the next 15 years. If a major war breaks out today, India won't have an air force in 15 years. Time is paramount here.

 

[Anonymus]

TEDBF is a waste of Time and Money, Both IAF and IN should join to develop AMCA is their future variant of fighter aircraft (Like Rafale). this is the right way to reduce the cost and Time.

AMCA is not capable of flying from IAC 1 & 2. To fly from the deck, the IAF would require a CATOBAR carrier at least 300m+ in length, AMCA being 18m in length.

 

[Sentoki]

This is a no brainer.

The MRFA tender has not even been released yet. IAF has not yet received AON for MRFA. By the time all this is done, a vendor is selected & price negotiations are completed, it will be 2027. This the earliest we will get deliveries would be 2030....

Within that time, the ORCA program can be easily accelerated and begin deliveries.

The only thing India lacks to do this right now is vision and leadership with courage, not technical capabilities.

ADA will have had experience designing two other compound delta wing designs ( Mk1a & MK2) before the TEDBF/ ORCA CDR is complete. Thus the development time can be seriously accelerated with minimal risk.

Govt should call you TASL or Adani Defense to get involved & build the ORCA aircrafts which will accelerate certification and delivery.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Better to concentrate to TEDBF as MRFA is just a lollipop given to IAF by GOI as there is no money. It may take 15 years but we should develop our own as it is GOI is not bothered about dwindling fighters.

 

[siva1977]

Who are these experts, whether they know the status of engines.Just for name sake giving their opinions.

 

[Singha]

Airforce should join, but only making it very clear that a private company will be assembling them, not the overburdened HAL. Let Tata or L&T or Adani make assembly lines for TEDBF/ORCA.

A combined order for 145 jets for the Navy and 114 jets for the IAF, potentially even crossing 300+ jets and maybe exporting them too, is a huge incentive for the private sector to get into it!

But then again, the issue is DECISION MAKING IN INDIA WORKS AT A SNAIL'S PACE. EVEN SNAILS WALK FASTER. 😌

 

[siva1977]

Airforce should join, but only making it very clear that a private company will be assembling them, not the overburdened HAL. Let Tata or L&T or Adani make assembly lines for TEDBF/ORCA.

A combined order for 145 jets for the Navy and 114 jets for the IAF, potentially even crossing 300+ jets and maybe exporting them too, is a huge incentive for the private sector to get into it!

But then again, the issue is DECISION MAKING IN INDIA WORKS AT A SNAIL'S PACE. EVEN SNAILS WALK FASTER. 😌

Sir I am asking where is the engine

 

[PKPRS]

Fighter jets under MRFA can be delivered much faster than the TEDBF air force variant, while the first TEDBF might be inducted only after 2034. Second, the European consortium has denied Meteor integration on indigenous fighter jets as per recent news. At least an air superiority fleet of 150 Rafale is needed.

France won't deliver until 2040 even if they start tomorrow, but others like Saab, Boeing, the Euro Consortium, or Russia can. By that time, ORCA will be ready. The IAF should join ORCA and get some 4th-gen twin-engine jet that would be better than Typhoon or Rafale.

 

[SURESH RAO]

This is a clear indication that almost 80-90% fighter jet technology is becoming common around the world except the engine technology.

Earlier fighter jet technology was a monopoly of USA, RUSSIA, BRITAIN, FRANCE, CHINA and SWEDEN

Now Korea, India, Turkey are developing fighter jet technology

 

[abhinav srivastava]

TEDBF will take 8-10 years of development. Further, clearances, certification, contract negotiations and the 3-4 for production and delivery. We need some more jets for next 15 years.

 

[ANKIT MEHTA]

IAF should buy 44 more rafales and must cancel MRFA. Apart from this IAF Should Also Accept and Procure HAL' s Offer of 12+72 Additional Super Su30.
As This Will Make IAF in the Position to take some time for Mk1a, MK2, ORCA and AMCA.
Earlier Bharat Had a Threat for Two Front War But Now it is Three Front War and No One knows more Fronts also can be Occured.
FGFA / SU57 Also Will Be Purchased as Both The Enemies have Already or in Near Future will have 5thGen Fighters.

 

[Sandeep]

India isn’t going to buy any more foreign jets after the Rafale Marine jets.

The best option is that by making some minor modifications then the air force can definitely use this jet as well. This will be much better than Tejas MK2 as it can carry more weapons and it will have better and more advanced technology so it can easily take the Rafale position. We need light fighters which Tejas MK1A and MK2 cover that category. For medium fighters then the TEDBF and AMCA cover that category which will strengthen our air power.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

This is not an option. We needed the MRFA 10-20 years ago, so if we have anything available now, we must take it.

TEDBF is a design/concept like Tejas Mk1/Mk1a and will need decades to be ready; the Air Force can't wait that long.

Neither did the Navy wait for it, hence the 26 Rafale-M to be ordered now, and probably starting in the next 3-6 years, we will get them for INS Vikrant.

For the Air Force, the Jaguar, Mig-29, and Mirages need replacement urgently, and MRFA is unfortunately the only option.

If not MRFA, then we need Gen 5 fighters in number to make up for the obsolete jets, as Tejas Mk2 is also far away.

And AMCA is not even on the horizon; maybe by 2040, it begins rollout or first flight at best.

So, honestly, we need the 114 jets from somewhere, either 4.5 gen or, if we think radically, maybe even 5 gen or 5.5 gen, but soon, as in the next 5-6 years, surely.

And not from HAL, which will continue to struggle with Mk1a, Mk2, TEDBF, and AMCA as it is, so they are 5, 10, 15, 20 years away from completion.

MRFA was plan B, but now it's critical plan A, needed immediately, and everything else is plan B, C, D..., which, even if we approve and sign tomorrow, will be 5-10 years away.

If nothing else, then F-22/Gripen NG/F-15EX/Su-35 or Eurofighter or even Rafale F4.

And if, ideally, we can afford it, F-35/KF-21/Su-57/Su-75.

The Mirage 2000 and Jaguars are on their last leg with no spares, and the Mig-29s are obsolete.

The Su-30MKIs are aging, with the Super Sukhoi project only for 80-90 of the 250-odd Sukhois, and that too has gotten nowhere as yet.

 

[Vivek M. R]

This is a no brainer.

The MRFA tender has not even been released yet. IAF has not yet received AON for MRFA. By the time all this is done, a vendor is selected & price negotiations are completed, it will be 2027. This the earliest we will get deliveries would be 2030....

Within that time, the ORCA program can be easily accelerated and begin deliveries.

The only thing India lacks to do this right now is vision and leadership with courage, not technical capabilities.

ADA will have had experience designing two other compound delta wing designs ( Mk1a & MK2) before the TEDBF/ ORCA CDR is complete. Thus the development time can be seriously accelerated with minimal risk.

Govt should call you TASL or Adani Defense to get involved & build the ORCA aircrafts which will accelerate certification and delivery.

Till the contract with GE for GE414 or equivalent is not signed we can't proceed with any other fighter Jets. GE 414 is needed for Tejas mk 2. Till contract is signed fund's won't be released. We made a mistake of not pursuing ORCA prototype with snecma M88-2 till technologies didn't nature to the level of Tejas mk 1A and we should have funded Kaveri engine program with French assistance to the level of GE 404. We can comment only now. No option at present but to wait and watch. Hope we will get GE 414 of course with strings attached as next POTUS is transactional type. Other option left for us is euro fighter typhoon but we are not sure wheather RR will assist us to certify EJ 200 for a single engine fighter and for future a higher thurst engine. But a 4th Generation euro fighter which is less superior to expensive omni role Rafel. Just optimistic that post January 2025 GE 414 deal will be signed with 60-80% TOT and make in India deal is signed.

 

[SanjayLimbani]

Indian Navy requested & invited IAF to join TEDBF program but IAF is more focused on AMCA and not interested in TEDBF (ORCA).

On the one hand IAF is ready to spend billions on imported jets through MRFA program but no money for indigenous programs like TEDBF.