India's Tejas MkII On Track for 2026 Rollout, First Flight Expected in 2027

India's ambitious indigenous fighter jet program, the Tejas MkII, is making headway towards its anticipated maiden flight.

While component acquisition and preparation are underway, full-scale assembly of the advanced aircraft is forecast to begin in mid-2025, leading to a potential prototype rollout in early 2026.

Component Sourcing and Assembly Timeline​

The Tejas MkII project involves complex coordination of domestic and international partnerships. Key components such as Long-Range Replaceable Units (LRUs) are being sourced from various suppliers, showcasing the project's global supply chain.

While this international collaboration offers access to cutting-edge technology, the procurement process for certain domestically manufactured components, specifically some fuselage parts, has experienced delays. These essential elements are now expected in late 2024 or early 2025.

Despite minor setbacks, the overall assembly process remains on schedule.

The assembly jig, a fundamental framework for aircraft construction, will be established later this year. This vital milestone will pave the way for initial assembly stages, but full-scale activity is projected to commence around mid-2025.

Prototype Rollout and First Flight Projections​

The Tejas MkII prototype's official unveiling, or rollout, is tentatively scheduled for early 2026. This highly anticipated event will signal a significant step in the project's evolution. However, pinpointing an exact rollout date depends on the timely arrival of parts with extended manufacturing lead times.

The Tejas MkII's first flight, a landmark moment, is currently estimated for 2027. This deliberate timeline underscores the intricate testing, integration, and calibration required of all aircraft systems to ensure safety and optimal performance.

Significance of the Tejas MkII​

The Tejas MkII represents a cornerstone in India's drive for self-reliance in defense technology.

This 4.5 generation fighter boasts enhancements over its predecessor, including a more powerful engine, advanced avionics, and an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.

These upgrades position the Tejas MkII to serve as a backbone of the Indian Air Force, gradually replacing older fleets like the Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage-2000.

Conclusion​

The Tejas MkII development is a complex endeavor with substantial implications for India's aerospace industry and national defense.

While hurdles and adjusted timelines are inherent in projects of this magnitude, the overall trajectory signifies steady progress toward the fighter's rollout and eventual integration into the Indian Air Force.

 

[bonito]

HAL actually having Three projects at a Time Tejas MK1A , Tejas MK2 prototype & AMCA . Hope First Flight will b in 2026.

Trainers, Super sukoi upgrade. Donier 228 production, there is also some Kiran replacements planned. Not to mention all the heli projects

 

[Anant]

TEDBF is an unnecessary luxury that should be scrapped. We dont need too many carriers. Our existing requirements can easily be met by Rafale-M orders. The Navy should instead focus on the basics such as minesweepers, more modern destroyers and frigates and above all, subs. HAL's focus should be solely on the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA for now.

TEDBF would also form the basis for our naval shore squadrons. Moreover, with three carriers including a larger 65,000 ton vessel in the 2040s, we will need close to 100 aircraft just for the carriers (including replacements). Add in shore squadron numbers, and that number approaches 150.

There is even a chance that once we have the TEDBF in sufficient numbers, the Rafale Ms can be transferred to the IAF or transferred to shote squadrons.

 

[Akshat]

there is not even a prototype yet, and you are talking about plane being delivered. Earlier the funds that were sanctioned were not for prototype development. So saying that HAL wasted 2,500 crore is bull.

Then please explain the HAL chief’s comment. He made the claim, not me.

 

[Rick Golder]

Even if the prototype is unvailed in 2026, and first flight in 2027 (assuming worst delays), even then we will get production readyTejas mk2 ready by 2030-31 (assuming 3-4 years in trails). Which is not the most better result, but it's not that bad, given by 2031, the Tejas mk1a jets will all be delivered and the assembly line can be used by Tejas mk2 to full extent.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

That's the magic of HAL 🙂 ... They still blame Covid for delays. Now they are blaming Ukraine /Gaza conflict for delays, ~Tomorrow they might blame ISIS for delays.

Yeah, everything possible under the sun and moon except themselves !!

 

[Deepak Hegde]

Aap sahi baat kahe hai Mitrawar. Per kisi vi naye process ko karne me thoda samay lagta hai. Aeronautical area me research naya hi suru hua hai. Mai HAL ko defend nahi kar raha hoo, per current process ke Pura hone per hamare desh me Aeronautical field me ek revolution hone ki aasha Karni chahiye.

Bhai, abhi abhi jaage ho, khulla kar lo aur chai pee lo ! HAL canteen ki special !

 

[Deepak Hegde]

I agree, rollout by 2025 and flight by 2026. If delay then 2027. But I believe that delay will not happen anymore. Unless there is another global shock.

The only other shock that HAL will get is their own capabilities and that is enough to delay to 2028 or beyond!

 

[kumar]

HAL actually having Three projects at a Time Tejas MK1A , Tejas MK2 prototype & AMCA . Hope First Flight will b in 2026.

Funds for mk2 was released a year later than it was approved. Delay in long lead time components is inevitable.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

Disinvest 51% Shares of HAL to strategic Indian public private companies including BEL , BHEL,TATAS , Bharat forge ,Godrej, Adani Tonbo , MKU and others medium and small enterprises involved with a professional board financially empowered including oversight by IAF and DRDO its other agencies to recruit engineers designers , foremen and technicians on merit from all India basis and not only kannadas with freedom to hire foreign talent , planners , new generation equipment without waiting for babus approval who need to be delinked from all decision making . An aero space board on lines of space and atomic energy is the need of the hour .

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

I agree, rollout by 2025 and flight by 2026. If delay then 2027. But I believe that delay will not happen anymore. Unless there is another global shock.

Depends on Russia-Ukraine & Israel-Hamas conflict , but I m hoping that first flight by mid 2026