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The Tejas Mk2 programme has achieved a significant, albeit understated, milestone with the completion of the aircraft’s rollout and the commencement of internal trials.
This development was confirmed by Group Captain V. N. Jha (Retd), a former Joint Director at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in a statement to News One.
His confirmation serves as the most definitive official signal to date that the indigenous medium-weight fighter is steadily advancing towards its maiden flight.
According to Group Captain Jha, the engineering team has now pivoted its full attention to internal ground and systems evaluations.
These trials are critical for validating the aircraft's essential parameters, including structural integrity, the integration of complex avionics, and flight control laws.
The aircraft will only be submitted for formal certification clearance to the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) after these rigorous internal checks are successfully concluded. CEMILAC approval remains a mandatory requirement before the Tejas Mk2 can be cleared for its first flight.
A Significant Technological Leap
While the Tejas Mk1A is a light combat aircraft, the Tejas Mk2 represents a substantial upgrade, categorised as a Medium Weight Fighter (MWF).Open-source technical data indicates that the Mk2 will be powered by the more robust General Electric F414 engine, capable of generating approximately 98 kN of thrust, compared to the F404 engine used in the Mk1 variants.
Additionally, the Mk2 features close-coupled canards for improved manoeuvrability and is designed to carry a payload of roughly 6.5 tonnes—nearly double that of its predecessor.
These enhancements are intended to bridge the operational gap between the lighter Tejas Mk1A and heavy-weight platforms currently in service.
Strategic Shift in Development
The current status aligns with earlier reports suggesting a rollout in the March–April timeframe of this year, with a first flight projected approximately six months later.Notably, the rollout was conducted without public fanfare, a deliberate decision by programme managers to prioritise technical flight-readiness over ceremonial events.
This subdued approach appears to be a direct result of lessons learnt from previous defence projects, where public announcements often outpaced engineering progress.
For the Tejas Mk2, the overarching strategy focuses on methodical risk reduction to ensure the platform is fully mature before it leaves the ground.
Sources maintain that the primary objective is to achieve the maiden flight before the end of 2026, even if it requires keeping developmental milestones out of the media spotlight.
With the rollout now complete and internal trials in full swing, the Tejas Mk2 programme has entered a decisive phase.
The coming months will be crucial as systems maturity and certification discipline determine the timeline for the aircraft's transition from the hangar to the runway, marking a new chapter in India's indigenous fighter development.
