Tejas Mk2 On Track for Q1 2026 Maiden Flight, Confirms DRDO Chief as Aircraft Assembly and Ground Testing Progressing Smoothly

India's advanced indigenous fighter jet, the Tejas Mk2, is set for its first flight in the first quarter of 2026 (April to July 2026), according to Dr. Samir V. Kamat, the head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

This confirmation aligns the programme's key milestones, following a statement from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that the aircraft's assembly would be completed and rolled out by March 2026.

The Tejas Mk2 is being developed as a significantly more powerful and capable successor to the current Tejas Mk1 and the upcoming Mk1A variants. Classified as a medium-weight fighter, it represents a substantial leap in India's military aviation capabilities.

The new aircraft is designed to be larger and will be equipped with the more powerful General Electric F414 engine, which produces 98 kN of thrust, allowing for a higher weapons payload and extended combat range compared to its predecessors.

Key upgrades include the integration of an indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which enhances the pilot's ability to track multiple targets simultaneously.

The aircraft will also feature an advanced electronic warfare suite for improved survivability in hostile environments, a modern glass cockpit, and an increased payload capacity of 6.5 tonnes across 11 hardpoints.

These enhancements will enable the Tejas Mk2 to perform a wider range of missions effectively.

The development timeline indicates that once HAL completes the prototype's assembly and system integration for its rollout by March 2026, the aircraft will undergo extensive and rigorous ground testing.

Dr. Kamat emphasized that these comprehensive validation processes are crucial to ensure the jet meets the stringent performance and safety standards demanded by the Indian Air Force (IAF) before it undertakes its maiden flight.

The Tejas Mk2 programme is a cornerstone of the IAF's modernization plans. It is slated to replace aging fleets of Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage 2000 fighter jets, which have been the backbone of India's air defence for decades.

With an anticipated requirement of six squadrons, totaling around 120 aircraft, and a potential for further orders, the Tejas Mk2 is vital for the IAF to achieve its sanctioned squadron strength.

The programme also provides a major boost to India's goal of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) in defence manufacturing, fostering a robust domestic aerospace ecosystem.

 

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[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

Indian aircraft with foreign twist, yes you are reading correct. Engine from foreign platform US as you know Atmanirbhar US GE, Radars and EW from foreign platform ALTA Atmanirbhar Israel. Only we are assembling the jigsaw puzzle. We have no right to cry and criticize Dassault as our Indian platforms are reluctant to use Indian made things why blame any one else. The slow progress in defense acquisitions and the never ending discussions is killing us. AMCA is the stealth platform expected for 2040 we do not have 5th gen aircraft that pakistan will soon have one.
Where is Atmanirbhar concept in this and anywhere in our Defense structure.

 

[Doc]

Atmanirbhar in defence equipment is slowly picking up speed, thanks to entry of Reliance, Adanis (Defence & Aerospace), L&T, Mahindras (Defence), Tatas (TASL), Kalyani Strategic, JSW Defence, Jindal (Defence), Solar Industries which come slowly to mind. Add to that the new drone/combat drone companies and we find that for a country that has opened the doors to private companies only in the recent past, we aren't doing too badly in the world scenario.

What we need to do desperately is to have MORE number of manufacturers of fighter aircraft. HAL alone will NOT do. The tallest of the aircraft component/airframe builders is TASL which was an early entrant to the field. Airframe manufacture to design/contract building of fighters (for HAL) shouldn't be an impossible task for a company of its repute, specially if the engines are ready-made.

The decision in this regard is strategic and fraught with very many stumbling blocks especially relating to industrial espionage.