New Tejas Mk2 Model Showcased with Astra, BrahMos NG, RudraM, SAAW, ASRAAM and More, Highlighting Leap in Indigenous Weapons

A recently unveiled scale model of the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet has provided a glimpse into India's growing indigenous combat capabilities. The model showcases an advanced configuration designed for both strike and air missions, highlighting the aircraft's versatility as a multirole fighter.

The model boasts an impressive array of weaponry, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, emphasizing its capacity for deep strike operations and defensive counter-air missions. This diverse loadout underscores India's commitment to developing a powerful and adaptable air force.

One of the most notable features of the model is the inclusion of two BrahMos Next Generation (NG) missiles. These supersonic cruise missiles, a smaller and lighter version of the original BrahMos, are specifically designed for fighter aircraft like the Tejas Mk2. With their extended range and precision strike capabilities, the BrahMos NG enhances India's ability to engage high-value targets.

Further demonstrating the Tejas Mk2's electronic warfare capabilities, the model features a centrally positioned RudraM 2 anti-radiation missile. This advanced missile is designed to suppress enemy air defences by targeting radar and communication systems, effectively clearing a path for other strike aircraft.

The model also showcases four Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAAWs), highlighting the Tejas Mk2's role in area denial and anti-airfield operations. These precision-guided munitions can accurately destroy critical enemy infrastructure, such as runways and air defence systems, significantly hindering enemy operations.

For air-to-air combat, the model displays four Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, either the Mk1 or Mk2 variant. These missiles provide the Tejas Mk2 with the capability to engage enemy aircraft at long ranges, a critical advantage in modern aerial warfare. Additionally, the model features Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAMs) on the wingtips, ensuring the aircraft's effectiveness in close-range dogfights.

This comprehensive suite of advanced weaponry solidifies the Tejas Mk2's position as a formidable multirole fighter. With enhanced strike capabilities, air superiority, and the ability to suppress enemy air defences (SEAD), the Tejas Mk2 is well-equipped to handle a wide range of modern combat scenarios.

The ability to carry such a diverse payload underscores the Tejas Mk2's multi-role flexibility. It can seamlessly transition between air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, and electronic warfare, providing a significant advantage in the modern battlespace. This versatility enhances India's deterrence capabilities by demonstrating the ability to neutralize threats across multiple domains, from enemy aircraft to ground installations, ultimately strengthening national security.

The development of the Tejas Mk2 and its integration of indigenous weapon systems represent a significant leap forward for India's defence industry. This advanced fighter jet is a testament to India's growing technological prowess and its commitment to self-reliance in defence production. As the Tejas Mk2 progresses towards production, it is poised to become a cornerstone of the Indian Air Force, playing a crucial role in safeguarding the nation's airspace and strategic interests.

 

[R. Singh]

Also arm Tejas-AF-II with AIM series of BVRAAMs along with Astra-1,2,3 !

 

[aspdeepak]

Where are the canards?

 

[Defence Zero]

This not mk 2, editor must need minimum knowledge

 

[tlsmani]

Where are the canards?

Only a model?

 

[sanket]

But dual pylon may b missing to carry more A2A missile in single sortie, Might b in future it will b integrated

 

[Ayush raj]

When Tejas Mk2 and Mk1a are inducted in decent numbers till 2030, there is no need to buy or fearmonger about air superiority. These jets would be able to provide IAF a significant capability so that we can easily hold on till AMCA starts production. The only problem is their timely production and induction. I hope HAL will add more automation in the production line and new technology/equipment for faster production.

 

[Kiran Kumar]

Flight is ready with all weapons, but the engine is missing, sir. Now what to do with this scale model, sir?

 

[Raakbas]

Does this fighter jet have an engine sir? Engine is very important for fighter jet sir. Without engine a jet cannot fly sir. Please don't mistake me, last minute ordering of jet engines do not turn out well sir. You see sir engines are not like rava upma sir. You can't make it at the last minute sir.

 

[Bhaskar Ambekar]

Flight is ready with all weapons, but the engine is missing, sir. Now what to do with this scale model, sir?

When engine comes new model will come, the. Engine will not fit again the same cycle will repeat

 

[Air Cmde KI Ravi AVSM VSM]

A few important points. What ADA & HAL are not telling you.

1. The canard positioning seriously affects canopy opening sideways and touched the canard. A serious maintainability issue.
2. MMH/FH, MTTR, MTBF have not been built into the design.
3. Design of Ground Support Equipment such as Engine R/I trolley, Engine Transportation have to be done now. This mistake in LCA Mk 1 has to be corrected.
4. For ASRAAM and AMRAAM, it is advisable to have our own AESA and RWR integrated.
5. Complete integration of all weapons as listed above will take 15 years plus which is too late.
6. GE F 414 support including MRO has to have clarity now. There are 8 engines with us now but unused.
7. Lightning Test of the Mk2 is a must since ADA promised but never delivered on Mk 1 and HAL has no plans for Mk 1A. Being a fully composite aircraft this is an emergent necessity.
8. The pylon delivery system has to be of very superior design and should be single point auto crutching or pneumatic. HAL cheated us on Mk 1 by fitting very old outdated ERU 128,119,120 and are doing the same on Mk 1A.
9. Tejas Mk 2 control on AUW is difficult. Excessive weight of LRUs like DFCC, Computers, undercarriage etc. Hence strict control is required.
10. There is no address to OTRS timings in previous versions. At least here IAF Ops and Maintenance Branch should not leave everything to Plans Branch and then comment later.
11. Groups like IAF -PMT and CSDO, CRI & CEMILAC should put their foot down to ensure the aircraft meets all the above requirements.

 

[Sandeep]

When engine comes new model will come, the. Engine will not fit again the same cycle will repeat

Engine deal will be signed in a few months time as price and technology transfer agreement is almost complete.

This time we can manufacture the F414 engines 80% indigenously whereas with the F404 engines we had to import it directly otherwise we wouldn’t be able to use GE engines at all. The USA and GE won this contract around 2010 and that was the only option we were allowed.

 

[Sandeep]

Flight is ready with all weapons, but the engine is missing, sir. Now what to do with this scale model, sir?

The F414 engine deal will be signed in a few months and we will get 80% of the technology and get to manufacture that amount indigenously.

 

[Sandeep]

The Tejas MK2 jet has a high weapon payload capability. Once we install a double or triple pylon on each hard point then we can carry out more air strikes in the air and against ground targets. Now we just need to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture a range of indigenous missiles and bombs.

We need to manufacture the Astra MK1-3 BVR missiles and the IR for WVR missiles.

We also need to manufacture the Rudram MK1-3 air to surface missiles with an anti radiation variant and a normal air to surface precision strike variant on key targets.

We also need to manufacture more of our own glide bombs, HSLD bomb, LGB, PGB, cluster bombs and bunker buster bombs. All of these bombs will come in different warhead sizes so that it gives us a variety of bombs to use depending on the target.

 

[Praveen]

China has made a real flying 6th gen and we are discussing about a scale model of a 4 gen fighter 😭😭