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.

 

[bonito]

Could have been better if it was 2028.

 

[sanket]

First few years Tejas MK2 may have Low production , Because of Additional 97 Tejas MK1A order production Line may b split between Tejas MK1A 97 +200 Tejas MK2 .

 

[Anant]

More realistic timeline: Roll-out in early-to-mid 2026, first flight in the second half of 2027, completion of testing by late 2031 or early 2032, LSP by 2034, and final series production starting 2035 or thereabouts. If you skip the LSP, then final production from 2033-ish.

 

[Pink Panther]

More realistic timeline: Roll-out in early-to-mid 2026, first flight in the second half of 2027, completion of testing by late 2031 or early 2032, LSP by 2034, and final series production starting 2035 or thereabouts. If you skip the LSP, then final production from 2033-ish.

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.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

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?

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

Yeh!!! Just like they promised to deliver mk1a in March’24 🤣🤣
Wonder if they really worked like they talk🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[De_SECULARISED]

Could have been better if it was 2028.

Not even in 2029.
Every timeline provided by HAL is the format @END OF 20XX

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

When is Uncle Ananthakrishnan retiring?
Hope, not before end of 2029.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

When is Uncle Ananthakrishnan retiring?
Hope, not before end of 2029.

Dec 2028. That way he will not have any responsibility for the delay once he retires !

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Dec 2028. That way he will not have any responsibility for the delay once he retires !

I thought so much.
He is just kicking the tin-can further down the road.
That is why the2029 schedule.

Well, HAL employees doin HAL employees things

 

[beencensured]

More realistic timeline: Roll-out in early-to-mid 2026, first flight in the second half of 2027, completion of testing by late 2031 or early 2032, LSP by 2034, and final series production starting 2035 or thereabouts. If you skip the LSP, then final production from 2033-ish.

Role out by 2025 is feasible time. The rest is euphoric in nature. Tejas mk2 is with canards, and so has different aerodynamic the tejas mk1.

 

[INDIAN]

Tejas Mk2 got delayed unnecessary , easily we lost 2-3 years.

 

[Akshat]

More realistic timeline: Roll-out in early-to-mid 2026, first flight in the second half of 2027, completion of testing by late 2031 or early 2032, LSP by 2034, and final series production starting 2035 or thereabouts. If you skip the LSP, then final production from 2033-ish.

So they took more time for the roll out then Tejas but will finish all the trials in less than half the time?

 

[Anant]

So they took more time for the roll out then Tejas but will finish all the trials in less than half the time?

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

 

[DrEaDlOcK]

More realistic timeline: Roll-out in early-to-mid 2026, first flight in the second half of 2027, completion of testing by late 2031 or early 2032, LSP by 2034, and final series production starting 2035 or thereabouts. If you skip the LSP, then final production from 2033-ish.

Bro such optimistic thinking.
Reminds me of myself back 2020.
I too was thinking the same.
But the HAL & DRDO, other DPSU and armed forces shattered that myth pretty hard.
😂 😂 😂

 

[Akshat]

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 delivery deal is nothing but a sorry excuse. How can anyone sign such a deal without mk2 actually being ready? Tejas took some 15 years to move from first flight to production, give or take. So how can anyone estimate the pricing or vendors or anything so far down the line? Till the time HAL finishes Mk2 and an actual deal is signed, don’t expect a firm deal from GE.

 

[Akshat]

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

Just one word. HAL.

 

[Baba Baati Baachur]

So it will not take 3 years from contract date to roll out first Tejas MK2? Obviously it will, HAL is speaking lies....

 

[Paul]

There's a zero percent chance it'll happen by 2029. We've heard similar grand promises before, and none of them ever came true.

 

[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.