India's Tejas Mark 2 Fighter Jet Enters Crucial Prototyping Phase, First Flight Expected by 2026-End

India's advanced, domestically developed Tejas Mark 2 fighter jet program has achieved a major milestone by moving from the design board to the physical prototyping stage.

The head of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) confirmed that the aircraft's design has been finalised, and the manufacturing of its structural components has commenced, setting the stage for its first flight by the end of 2026.

This development is a significant step forward in the nation's efforts to enhance its military aviation capabilities with indigenous technology.

The Tejas Mark 2 is a 4.5-generation medium-weight aircraft designed to replace the Indian Air Force's (IAF) aging fleets of Jaguar, Mirage 2000, and MiG-29 fighter jets.

Its successful induction will strengthen the country's air superiority and strategic autonomy, reducing reliance on foreign military hardware.

An evolution of the earlier Tejas Mark 1/1A light combat aircraft, the Mark 2 variant features substantial upgrades.

It is powered by a more powerful General Electric F414 engine, capable of producing 98 kilonewtons (kN) of thrust.

The aircraft is larger, allowing it to carry a heavier weapons payload of up to 6.5 tonnes.

Its advanced systems include a state-of-the-art Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for superior tracking and targeting, an indigenous Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system, and compatibility with advanced long-range missiles.

According to Dr. DK Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, the structural assembly of the first prototype is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.

The aircraft is anticipated to be formally rolled out around April 2026, with flight testing scheduled to begin in the latter half of the year. This timeline reflects the complex process of integrating the sophisticated avionics and mission computers that form the core of the jet's combat systems.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the construction of four prototypes, which will undergo rigorous testing to validate their performance and combat capabilities.

This testing phase will focus on the engine's integration, sensor performance, and weapons deployment.

The Tejas Mark 2 program is also a cornerstone of the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India) initiative, with a target of over 70% indigenous content.

Once operational, the aircraft is expected to be a direct competitor to foreign jets like Sweden's Saab Gripen, solidifying India's position as a leading aerospace and defence manufacturer.

 

[Mayank393]

again a random timeline with no accountability

 

[AJS]

Note the steady creep in timelines introduced via such planted articles by HAL. The article starts with a lie in the headline, stating that the prototyping stage has just begun, positioning it as an achievement. In reality prototype building started in 2021. The original roll out target was supposed to be in 2022-23. Over the months several such articles appeared, putting out new, later, dates with no reference to original targets. As recently as last month the articles were saying that the prototype would roll out by end 2025, first flight early 2026. Now it says roll out by April 2026, first flight by end 2026. That is the point of the article, mentioned in one sentence embedded in a lot of fluff about the capabilities of Tejas 2 (which is the same thing repeated as nauseum in all articles over the years). This is a standard PR tactic on the part of DRDO-HAL, and can be seen across most projects.

It’s just as well that our arch enemy Pakistan is even more hopelessly incompetent, so we get by. It is high time the government introduced some competition and allowed a private company to also build the Tejas 2 in addition to HAL; or at least overhauled HAL’s management and work culture. Starting with shutting down such lying that puts out false propaganda with no accountability; and firing incompetent top management and below who miss deadlines. Things cannot be left ‘Bhagwan bharose’ much longer.

 

[आक्रोशित युवक]

And when I say on other forums that tejas mk2 is still a paper tiger far away from our reach, people get all worked up on it. Frustration is understandable but we must always be grounded in our approach.

Note the steady creep in timelines introduced via such planted articles by HAL. The article starts with a lie in the headline, stating that the prototyping stage has just begun, positioning it as an achievement. In reality prototype building started in 2021. The original roll out target was supposed to be in 2022-23. Over the months several such articles appeared, putting out new, later, dates with no reference to original targets. As recently as last month the articles were saying that the prototype would roll out by end 2025, first flight early 2026. Now it says roll out by April 2026, first flight by end 2026. That is the point of the article, mentioned in one sentence embedded in a lot of fluff about the capabilities of Tejas 2 (which is the same thing repeated as nauseum in all articles over the years). This is a standard PR tactic on the part of DRDO-HAL, and can be seen across most projects.

It’s just as well that our arch enemy Pakistan is even more hopelessly incompetent, so we get by. It is high time the government introduced some competition and allowed a private company to also build the Tejas 2 in addition to HAL; or at least overhauled HAL’s management and work culture. Starting with shutting down such lying that puts out false propaganda with no accountability; and firing incompetent top management and below who miss deadlines. Things cannot be left ‘Bhagwan bharose’ much longer.

 

[आक्रोशित युवक]

And above all procure some f414 engines in advance for god's sake.

 

[bks78]

HAL chairman should be sacked. Last year he said Tejas MK2 will fly in December 2025, then shifted to March 2026. Now he is saying December 2026. Pakistan is procured 5th generation fighter jets from China but we are struggling to test 4.5 generation Tejas MK2. Better to create a pvt consortium and give responsibility to build Tejas MK2.

 

[Defence Simplified]

First up HAL can't be trusted anymore they have zero urgency and then this Tejas mk 2 excels at some domains but has sub par engines and payload capabilities.....we need those 114 jets asap .....and if india decides to go for rafales then they may be fairly priced 270-290 billions for a 4.5 gen jet is a complete rip off........gen an American jet, dependable machine in half the price the spare amount can be put into amca or engine R&D or even in fastracking mk 2 ......we need to understand that be it any 4.5 jet indigenous or imported, it can only be used to bridge the gap .....my picks-
1) Ditch rafales as they are costly by atleast 70% ....co manufacture su 57 ( upgraded one ) and negotiate for TOT
2) Go all in, in AMCA ....field atleast 3 squadron of mk 1 by 2032
3) That much talked about safran engine too will be of sub par category 120+120 = 240KN ...lowest in class .......go for rolce royce, atleast 150+150 for AMCA( press hard for TOT)
4) Rope in private played ASAP, HAL can either deliver in next one year or get out of the way.

 

[P2S2]

First up HAL can't be trusted anymore they have zero urgency and then this Tejas mk 2 excels at some domains but has sub par engines and payload capabilities.....we need those 114 jets asap .....and if india decides to go for rafales then they may be fairly priced 270-290 billions for a 4.5 gen jet is a complete rip off........gen an American jet, dependable machine in half the price the spare amount can be put into amca or engine R&D or even in fastracking mk 2 ......we need to understand that be it any 4.5 jet indigenous or imported, it can only be used to bridge the gap .....my picks-
1) Ditch rafales as they are costly by atleast 70% ....co manufacture su 57 ( upgraded one ) and negotiate for TOT
2) Go all in, in AMCA ....field atleast 3 squadron of mk 1 by 2032
3) That much talked about safran engine too will be of sub par category 120+120 = 240KN ...lowest in class .......go for rolce royce, atleast 150+150 for AMCA( press hard for TOT)
4) Rope in private played ASAP, HAL can either deliver in next one year or get out of the way.

I'll second it but press for Japanese engine

 

[pgahlot]

HAL is best at delaying. Till last month, the prototype would roll out by end 2025, first flight early 2026. Now roll out delayed by April 2026, first flight by end 2026.
Secondly, we need to get a new design with some different engine (AL-51F / XF-9) as USA will further blackmail and delay the engines like they are doing with GE-404.

 

[kunitesh]

Its a never ending storyline. articles like these and several videos like these rant about super capabilities of the MK2 making it a hero even before it's born. They publish same content over and over again and HAL does what it does best ..extend timelines at will ...passionate followers like us read the same old content with just changed timelines and a never ending wait. My request to Authors is to stop repeating content about MK2 capabilities as it does not add any value to anyone until HAL wakes up and really delivers what all is promised on time.

 

[StealtH]

First up HAL can't be trusted anymore they have zero urgency and then this Tejas mk 2 excels at some domains but has sub par engines and payload capabilities.....we need those 114 jets asap .....and if india decides to go for rafales then they may be fairly priced 270-290 billions for a 4.5 gen jet is a complete rip off........gen an American jet, dependable machine in half the price the spare amount can be put into amca or engine R&D or even in fastracking mk 2 ......we need to understand that be it any 4.5 jet indigenous or imported, it can only be used to bridge the gap .....my picks-
1) Ditch rafales as they are costly by atleast 70% ....co manufacture su 57 ( upgraded one ) and negotiate for TOT
2) Go all in, in AMCA ....field atleast 3 squadron of mk 1 by 2032
3) That much talked about safran engine too will be of sub par category 120+120 = 240KN ...lowest in class .......go for rolce royce, atleast 150+150 for AMCA( press hard for TOT)
4) Rope in private played ASAP, HAL can either deliver in next one year or get out of the way.

We were already co developing su57 but we left the program dont know why and now again we are looking for su 57. Poor decision taking by mgmt, after investing a hefty amount in co development of su57 and then suddenly leaving the program was the worst decision ever, we would already have had fleets of su57

 

[P2S2]

you sit but shit doesn't happen. You go away. Stomach grumbles you return hoping something will happen not really knowing whether it actually will.