MoD Pushes for Air Force Variant of TEDBF Naval Jet to Achieve 150+ Order Size and Ensure Program's Financial Survival

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is actively promoting the development of an Indian Air Force (IAF) variant of a new naval fighter jet to ensure the programme's financial viability and boost indigenous manufacturing.

The proposal aims to secure a combined order of over 150 aircraft, which officials believe is necessary to justify the high development costs of the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF).

The TEDBF is being designed by the government's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) primarily for the Indian Navy. However, the project's long-term future is under scrutiny due to its substantial estimated development cost of ₹13,000 to ₹14,000 crore.

As the programme awaits its final Preliminary Design Review, the MoD is urging the IAF to consider a land-based version of the aircraft to ensure the project's survival through greater numbers.

Initially, the Indian Navy projected a need for 140 TEDBF jets to replace its ageing Russian-made MiG-29K fleet, which operates from the aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and the new indigenous INS Vikrant.

Due to budgetary constraints and revised strategic plans, the Navy has since reduced its requirement to approximately 80 aircraft. Defence planners are concerned that such a limited order would not provide the economies of scale needed to make the high-cost development and production process worthwhile.

To resolve this issue, the ministry is proposing a joint-service model. The plan involves creating a lighter, Air Force-specific variant of the 26-tonne naval fighter.

This version would share its core design and systems with the carrier-based model but would be optimised for land-based runways, removing the heavy and complex components required for carrier operations.

This approach is similar to that of the French Dassault Rafale, which has distinct variants for its air force and navy. A combined order book exceeding 150 units would significantly lower the per-aircraft cost.

The proposed Air Force version of the TEDBF would be classified as a 4.5-generation multirole fighter, placing it in the same weight class as the Rafale.

It would offer a twin-engine platform with greater payload and combat range than the single-engine Tejas Mk1A, filling a capability gap between the planned Tejas Mk2 and India’s future fifth-generation stealth fighter.

Despite these potential advantages, the IAF has yet to formally commit to the project. The Air Force's primary focus remains on its own ambitious fifth-generation programme, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The AMCA is a more technologically advanced stealth fighter designed for future air dominance, featuring capabilities like supercruise and advanced sensor fusion that the 4.5-generation TEDBF will not have.

IAF leadership reportedly believes that investing in two separate, large-scale fighter development programmes in a similar weight category could divert critical resources and focus from the strategically vital AMCA project.

Moreover, the Air Force is currently managing the large-scale induction of the Tejas Mk1A and preparing for the Tejas Mk2, leaving limited room for an additional new aircraft type in its immediate procurement plans.

The future of India's indigenous twin-engine fighter now depends on reconciling these differing service priorities with the financial realities of modern defence development.

 

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HAL to Outsource Complete Module Assembly of Fighter Jets to Private Sector, Significantly Accelerating Production Timelines

[aarkay]

Indian Naval Fighter Aircraft program needs urgent review to maintain #atmanirbharta trajectory. Two Key recommendations
1 induct LCA Mk-1 (Navy) in limited numbers
2 IN joins development of naval variant of AMCA

India’s Naval Fighter Stalemate Threatens Atmanirbharta

In the current context, AMCA appears a better option than TEDBF, particularly given the pace of Chinese fifth- and sixth-generation fighter developments.

bharatshakti.in

 

[aarkay]

Indian Naval Fighter Aircraft program needs urgent review to maintain #atmanirbharta trajectory. Two Key recommendations
1 induct LCA Mk-1 (Navy) in limited numbers
2 IN joins development of naval variant of AMCA

India’s Naval Fighter Stalemate Threatens Atmanirbharta

In the current context, AMCA appears a better option than TEDBF, particularly given the pace of Chinese fifth- and sixth-generation fighter developments.

bharatshakti.in

 

[Snowstrike]

Get TEDBF instead of Rafale. Like Zorawar and ATAGS, private firms need to get into action. There is no need to import a single aircraft. If need be, use the engine used in Rafale for TEDBF to hedge GE.

I implore you to do your due diligence before making claims. Your view is not unfounded- however, it is unrealistic. The TEDBF is far from ready, and its still in its conceptual stage. The rafale, on the other hand, IS ready. Its proven, with a far richer history of excellence to its name. I dont think rafale is the right choice for MRFA- but I do acknowledge it as a great jet. And btw, GE is not involved in TEDBF- they planned to use the AMCA mk2 engine for it.

 

[Snowstrike]

Su-57 is originally the 5th generation. Tejas Mk1A is already the 4.5th generation, I don't see the point in duplicating it with Tejas Mk2. Rafale of the Indian Air Force and Navy are also the 4.5th generation. Frankly, the TEDBF and Tejas Mk2 programs look redundant.

Um... I dont know where you got that information from, but I have to inform you its outdated. The Tejas mk1a is a skewed platform, with minimal relevancy into the 2050s. The mk2 is an enhanced variant of it, featuring more powerful EW capabilities, and a higher payload. I believe it is a mistake to order 183 tejas mk1as. TEDBF is not a bad idea- but its execution is WOEFULLY subpar. With execution like THIS, India is always gonna be 1-1.5 generations behind the world leaders. The Su57 is not a true 5th gen fighter. It has heavily skewed stealth, and possibly subpar internals. The navy needs capable carrier-based fighters: which is why I believe investing a 'navalized' variant of the AMCA mk2 is a good idea. I am well aware that doing that is NO JOKE, and creating that would take heavy funding and long timelines. But I believe investing in something like that is a good idea.

 

[Snowstrike]

Well, I don't understand why everyone is forcing IAF to include so many 4-4.5 generation aircraft
Tejas IOC+FOC=4th Gen
Tejas MK1=4th GenI
Tejas MK2=4.5Gen
Rafale=4thGen
Rafale 4.1= 4.5th Gen
Sukhoi SU30=4th Gen
Sukhoi Super 30=4.5th Gen
Sukhoi SU 57= 4.5+ Gen
Now ORCA= 4.5Gen
This is terrible everytime 4-4.5Gen,
Is this Modernization??
Why Navy not thinking advance and working hard to get AMCA Naval version, the moment AMCA planning was going on, Navy too should have planned for its naval version, but NO, they will keep sleeping, their outdated thinking could help them to think only about 4.5th Gen, waste of time, money and energy, TEDBF will be good kill practice for Advance 6th gen fighter of China, coz once in the sky, be it be Naval of Airforce variant all will be same for 6th gen fighter ! Still nothing is wrong you have landing and takeoff tecnology on Aircraft deck, you have technology ready for AMCA, go for it it will take max 6-8 years,
Almost same time frame for ORCA to get ready !

You know what, I agree. Yeah, I do. They are currently running too many 4.5 gen programs in my opinion. I have to make some corrections here: the rafale is firmly in the 4.5 gen capabilities, and is a highly capable jet, only lacking in VLO characteristics. The su57 is a 4.5 gen, correct. the 'Super Sukhoi' upgraded jets are barely 4.5 gen in my eyes. Their massive RCS is a disaster. As of now, they are investing in 5th generation fighters- the AMCA mk1/mk2. I share your viewpoint on the fact that the MoD should probably invest in a naval version of the AMCA mk2.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

Um... I dont know where you got that information from, but I have to inform you its outdated. The Tejas mk1a is a skewed platform, with minimal relevancy into the 2050s. The mk2 is an enhanced variant of it, featuring more powerful EW capabilities, and a higher payload. I believe it is a mistake to order 183 tejas mk1as. TEDBF is not a bad idea- but its execution is WOEFULLY subpar. With execution like THIS, India is always gonna be 1-1.5 generations behind the world leaders. The Su57 is not a true 5th gen fighter. It has heavily skewed stealth, and possibly subpar internals. The navy needs capable carrier-based fighters: which is why I believe investing a 'navalized' variant of the AMCA mk2 is a good idea. I am well aware that doing that is NO JOKE, and creating that would take heavy funding and long timelines. But I believe investing in something like that is a good idea.

Tejas is essentially an obsolete fighter even before it is accepted into service, but the Mk1A as an interim variant will be quite a suitable option until the fighters are purchased and the AMCA program is implemented, since its main opponents are the JF-17 and J-10. Tejas in any version will be inferior to the J-20, Kaan and J-35, so there is no point in developing a 4th generation platform, the adoption date of which falls in the 30s, when the J-36 / J-50 will become serial aircraft. The Su-57 meets all the criteria of a 5th generation fighter, including supersonic cruise flight, which the F-35 does not. The reports about the Su-57 not meeting the criteria for a 5th generation fighter are just a copium from the American military-industrial complex. In their universe, even the J-20 "didn't meet the criteria", and then it turned out that this fighter is one of the main threats to the US Air Force and Navy in the region, which is being built at a rapid pace. After the transition to WS-15 engines (as well as AL-51 in the case of the Su-57, but Russia is a less developed country with weaker industrial capacity), even the last skeptic will be forced to admit his mistakes. Practice has shown that not a single Su-57 was shot down in Ukraine. It is better not to duplicate another 4th generation, but simply speed up the development of the 5th.

 

[Snowstrike]

Tejas is essentially an obsolete fighter even before it is accepted into service, but the Mk1A as an interim variant will be quite a suitable option until the fighters are purchased and the AMCA program is implemented, since its main opponents are the JF-17 and J-10. Tejas in any version will be inferior to the J-20, Kaan and J-35, so there is no point in developing a 4th generation platform, the adoption date of which falls in the 30s, when the J-36 / J-50 will become serial aircraft. The Su-57 meets all the criteria of a 5th generation fighter, including supersonic cruise flight, which the F-35 does not. The reports about the Su-57 not meeting the criteria for a 5th generation fighter are just a copium from the American military-industrial complex. In their universe, even the J-20 "didn't meet the criteria", and then it turned out that this fighter is one of the main threats to the US Air Force and Navy in the region, which is being built at a rapid pace. After the transition to WS-15 engines (as well as AL-51 in the case of the Su-57, but Russia is a less developed country with weaker industrial capacity), even the last skeptic will be forced to admit his mistakes. Practice has shown that not a single Su-57 was shot down in Ukraine. It is better not to duplicate another 4th generation, but simply speed up the development of the 5th.

Interesting take. Your outlook provides insight, and while I appreciate it, I have to point out a few inaccuracies: the Sukhoi Su-57 'Felon' is not considered a 'true' 5th-gen fighter, because of its glaring lack of proper stealth features. It has exposed inlets, with minimal stealth shaping around the engines, providing a large IR footprint. Its RCS is estimated to be somewhere between 0.1-0.3m2, frontal. This does not classify as VLO (Very Low Observable), instead, it comes under the LO (Low Observable) category, alongside the likes of the Rafale f4, Eurofighter t5, Gripen E. (Granted those are only LO while in a clean config). I agree with you that a stopgap fighter like the Tejas is not a bad idea. Where I differ is in the NUMBERS of it. An order for 84 tejas mk1a's was placed. A further follow-on of 97, which are set to be delivered by 2032- is far too much. The tejas, being a LCA, has little relevancy against modern 5th gens, like the J20, which is being mass manufactured in China. It has an EW suite which will be subpar the moment it takes flight. I believe investing in something such as the Tejas mk2 (enhanced EW, radar, payload) would be far more beneficial for India. This point is up for debate. Here's my take: They SHOULDNT continue with the follow-on for 97 Tejas mk1as ontop of the current 84- thats overkill for an obsolete platform in my eyes. I believe a long term vision, such as inducting a number of AMCA's, MRFA's, and perhaps a mix of tejas mk2's would be a FAR better use of the $8.3bil price tag. Its important to note that the WS-15 and AL51 are 5th generation engines, not 6th. They do not feature VCE. While capable, they do not represent the pinnacle of military engines.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

Interesting take. Your outlook provides insight, and while I appreciate it, I have to point out a few inaccuracies: the Sukhoi Su-57 'Felon' is not considered a 'true' 5th-gen fighter, because of its glaring lack of proper stealth features. It has exposed inlets, with minimal stealth shaping around the engines, providing a large IR footprint. Its RCS is estimated to be somewhere between 0.1-0.3m2, frontal. This does not classify as VLO (Very Low Observable), instead, it comes under the LO (Low Observable) category, alongside the likes of the Rafale f4, Eurofighter t5, Gripen E. (Granted those are only LO while in a clean config). I agree with you that a stopgap fighter like the Tejas is not a bad idea. Where I differ is in the NUMBERS of it. An order for 84 tejas mk1a's was placed. A further follow-on of 97, which are set to be delivered by 2032- is far too much. The tejas, being a LCA, has little relevancy against modern 5th gens, like the J20, which is being mass manufactured in China. It has an EW suite which will be subpar the moment it takes flight. I believe investing in something such as the Tejas mk2 (enhanced EW, radar, payload) would be far more beneficial for India. This point is up for debate. Here's my take: They SHOULDNT continue with the follow-on for 97 Tejas mk1as ontop of the current 84- thats overkill for an obsolete platform in my eyes. I believe a long term vision, such as inducting a number of AMCA's, MRFA's, and perhaps a mix of tejas mk2's would be a FAR better use of the $8.3bil price tag. Its important to note that the WS-15 and AL51 are 5th generation engines, not 6th. They do not feature VCE. While capable, they do not represent the pinnacle of military engines.

The Su-57 has changed significantly compared to the prototypes. It has a radar blocker, its airframe matches the geometry of the 5th generation airframe, radar-absorbing materials are used, this fighter is very agile, it has supercruise, it has a AESA radar (and the radar is not only in the nose), it also has data fusion, etc., one main limitation is not in the Su-57 itself, but in the fact that Russia has a fairly small number of AWACS, satellites, etc.

Let's Talk About The Su-57 And The Radar Blockers Allegedly Sighted For The First Time Inside The Felon's Air Intake

The Su-57 Felon's radar blockers were allegedly exposed by a video part of a longer feature aired by Russian television for the centenary of the Chkalov

theaviationist.com