Tejas Mk2 Fighter Jets Expected for Indian Air Force by 2029

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is slated to begin receiving deliveries of the advanced Tejas Mk2 fighter jet by the end of 2029, according to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director, CB Ananthakrishnan.

This timeline depends on the timely completion of key development stages. HAL plans to roll out the first Tejas Mk2 prototype by late 2025, aiming for its first test flight in 2026. The aircraft will then enter a thorough flight test program lasting 2-3 years, ensuring its readiness and safety before production commences.

While the initial Tejas Mk2 will have some limitations in air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons capabilities, the IAF will take charge of integrating more advanced weaponry. The IAF has ambitious plans to eventually acquire 200 Tejas Mk2 jets, entirely replacing their older Jaguar, Mirage-2000, and MiG-29UPG fleets by 2040. This will significantly upgrade India's air combat power with domestically-produced, advanced fighters.

 

[Sandeep]

The deal for F-414 engines, which are proposed to be used for Tejas MK-2 has not yet been signed. So, what is the basis for the statement by HAL CMD? Only 8 F-414 engines have already been supplied to HAL. Is he saying the deliveries will commence using those engines?

The engine deal has already been signed with the USA.

 

[Siddharth Asthana]

Lol...these morons have no idea what they talk about, putting finger in the air and saying we will be ready by that date!
If there was way to bet, I would bet on this:

IAF will have first squadron of 18 MK2 delivered not a day before Dec 31, 2033 except if the following happens:

- HAL is privatized from current 85% Govt holding to <50%
OR
-MK2 production is handed over to a pvt player.

Also, sit back, relax, and tell a story to your grandkids that someday fantasy planes like AMCA & TEDBF will fly in IAF colors and hopefully at that time he will remember you.

 

[Sandeep]

It would be great if it's possible but it won't happen without any preparation. The main problem is not so much the manufacturing process but it's mainly testing the science, engineering and technology that's been used to develop the Tejas MK2 jet. Also they will need to fine tune the system and software as with all newly inducted and developed jets.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

The engine deal has already been signed with the USA.

I wish it was ! What's been signed is only the deal for F-404 engines (75+97) and even the supply for that is shaky given the fact that GE can only manufacture certain number of engines per year. However, the deal for F414 INS6 engines, which are supposed to power Tejas MK-2 is not yet signed. We are still negotiating to get the right price for it. GE has however sold 8 F-414 engines off the shelf, already to HAL.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Optimistic, yes, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Its overly optimistic and even unrealistic. The flight test regime of all aircraft worldwide, lasts for about 5-7 years, and that's the standard globally. Even with most well planned and managed defense R&D project for a new fighter aircraft. There are somethings like optimizing FBW control laws that you can't just take any shortcut.

The fact that HAL thinks it can be achieved in 2-3 years is itself deeply problematic as it is symptomatic of the unrealistic,fantastical irresponsible management style that traces its roots in delusions.

 

[Amit]

Hope 2029 doesn't become 2039 or beyond going by HALs record

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

When he says 2029, just add 5-8 years as a rule, so we can anticipate 2034 - 2037 to be the year when tejas mk2 might get delivered.

 

[Anant]

Hope 2029 doesn't become 2039 or beyond going by HALs record

It won't be 2029. That is utterly impossible. At the earliest, it will be 2034-35, and quite possibly even the late 2030s.

 

[Anant]

It would be great if it's possible but it won't happen without any preparation. The main problem is not so much the manufacturing process but it's mainly testing the science, engineering and technology that's been used to develop the Tejas MK2 jet. Also they will need to fine tune the system and software as with all newly inducted and developed jets.

It simply isn't possible. The Tejas Mk 2 is sufficiently different from the Mk 1/1A that you would need a full spectrum of trials and testing, which will take 4-5 year at the very least.

 

[Akshat]

The engine deal has already been signed with the USA.

Only an MoU has been signed. No deal.

 

[Anant]

Lol...these morons have no idea what they talk about, putting finger in the air and saying we will be ready by that date!
If there was way to bet, I would bet on this:

IAF will have first squadron of 18 MK2 delivered not a day before Dec 31, 2033 except if the following happens:

- HAL is privatized from current 85% Govt holding to <50%
OR
-MK2 production is handed over to a pvt player.

Also, sit back, relax, and tell a story to your grandkids that someday fantasy planes like AMCA & TEDBF will fly in IAF colors and hopefully at that time he will remember you.

IAF probably won't have double digits of Tejas Mk 2 by that date unless HAL is able to either miraculously complete all tests within 3 years, or if they decide to pass on the LSP aircraft for full service.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

It would be a miracle if mk2 enters production in 2030.

 

[amerjit johal]

Lol...these morons have no idea what they talk about, putting finger in the air and saying we will be ready by that date!
If there was way to bet, I would bet on this:

IAF will have first squadron of 18 MK2 delivered not a day before Dec 31, 2033 except if the following happens:

- HAL is privatized from current 85% Govt holding to <50%
OR
-MK2 production is handed over to a pvt player.

Also, sit back, relax, and tell a story to your grandkids that someday fantasy planes like AMCA & TEDBF will fly in IAF colors and hopefully at that time he will remember you.

GoI holding is less than 72%.
No point of privitising if most of the shares are bought by retail investors and other financial instutions.
We need a major tech company to take a significant holding.
What we really need is for someone like BAe LM Boeing or Dassault to take 51% control.

 

[GMR]

Does this person remain 8 hrs with the press, churning out baseless dates .. need to gag him and make him shut up.. so irritating

 

[Aravind]

2029 all country will use 6th generation fighter jets so in that time how IAF will buy tejas mk2 ? and no world country will intersert on this fighter jet in 2029 so export mostly not possible

 

[saurav]

This sounds like a more realistic timeline, Tejas MK1A hasn’t rolled out yet and it is already middle of 2024, any delay in Tejas MK1A will trickle down and cause further delays in other projects, MK2 is only possible in the given timeline if one or more private players are also involved and do parallel production.

any delay in Tejas MK1A and later on MK1B will cause delays in MK2 and other products, this is jut my opinion, so there are more possibilities for delays in MK2.

 

[Frank]

114 Rafale will cost around 30-35 billion

In 2016 F3 rafale costed us 8 billion euro ~10 billon dollar.

Almost 270 million dollar per F3 Rafale.

Now it's 2024, 8 years of inflation.

And Rafale has new F4 version.

Let's assume the price of F4 Rafale after improvements and inflation 290-320 million per jet

Thus price of 114 jets will cost at least 30-35 billion dollar.
May reach 40 billion due to cost escalation bcz of local production like Su40MKI

Also 300 Tejas mk2 production order would be divided between Hal and private company (Tata or Adani or Mahindra) 50:50. Delivery will complete within 8/9 years if both (Hal n private company) produce 20 jet per year which is very much possible.

 

[Frank]

Order 300 Tejas mk2 and cancel phoren maal MRFA...

The delivery timeline will be same anyway

Plus price of 300 mk2<<<<104 rafale

300mk2 ORDER WILL BE DEVIDED 50:50 BETWEEN HAL AND PRIVATE COMAPNY

 

[Pink Panther]

any delay in Tejas MK1A and later on MK1B will cause delays in MK2 and other products, this is jut my opinion, so there are more possibilities for delays in MK2.

No body knows what’s going on with GE-F404 or GE-F414 engines and if there are any conditions tied to them like buying MRFA jets, so among all these oddities I think 2029 timeline is not realistic at all, also there is MK1B that IAF wants after MK1A, which means MK2 will delay even further.

 

[Neel Martin]

2029 is too early baboos make it 2035. in the mean time give info s like nuts for Tejas Mk2 made bolts for the tail made etc