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.

 

[sanket]

Wow, no need to order old Mirage-2000s; instead, go for Tejas MK2. Just as the initial order was placed for 97 Tejas MK1A, a similar thing can happen with Tejas MK2; it will exceed 250 to 300 overall orders.

 

[Harsh Raj]

Please don't delay this time, and the way he is giving interviews every single day, I feel sooner or later he will say he faced some supply chain issue, so it can't be done any sooner.

 

[king dorm]

Did we already sign the deal with GE for local production of F414 engines? Otherwise, we are looking at a significant delay in Mk2 deliveries.

 

[Kira]

Did we already sign the deal with GE for local production of F414 engines? Otherwise, we are looking at a significant delay in Mk2 deliveries.

Nope, but by March 2026, apparently, the deal will be signed for local production of F414 engines.

 

[Krishna]

I hope this won't be delayed like earlier. After the recent war-like situations, there seems to be a sense of urgency in expediting defence-related projects like Tejas, AMCA, and multiple missile programmes. These things should be brought to successful closure without diluting the seriousness and focus.

These R&D units, such as DRDO, ADA, and GTRE, should focus more on driving R&D and ownership aspects, and manufacturing should be handed over to private companies such as Tata, L&T, and Mahindra, along with PSUs like HAL, BDL, etc.

 

[Krishnarao R]

While this may be good news, there is no mention about the readiness and availability of the engines in HAL factory premises. If no GE-414 engine is available with HAL, then it is only an airframe in 2026. It should be noted that even a single LCA Mk1A is not ready for want of GE-404 engines. Our MoD should take immediate steps to make the engines available on a war-footing basis.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a very important and critical project and we need to start manufacturing the Tejas MK2 prototypes. Hopefully with the first jet we should start running tests straight away. These long delays are a major problem as we need these jets on the frontline.

 

[Krishnarao R]

Crux of the issue is the absence of full-fledged engine technology with us to propel our jet fighters. As long as we depend on the foreign engines, we are not going to make any headway. On the pretext of supply chains issues, GE is dragging the supply. We are forced to conclude that in reality, supply chain is not an issue and usually western countries and US do not like India to make technological advance in Defence Sector. To overcome the continuous dependency on foreign engines,

1. We have to rope in talented technocrats from IITs, IISC and private sector industries to upgrade the kaveri engine
2. Govt. should extend all possible assistance like funding and availability of advanced materials.
3. To bridge the existing gap in jet fighters and to enhance the squadron level, IAF and GOI should buy SU-57 E from Russia (off-the- shelf delivery) immediately as we have already producing SU-30s in Bangaluru and Nasik.
4. HAL is overstretched now and it lacks manpower to complete the projects within the stipulated time. This has to be addressed immediately.

 

[Senapati]

What is the status of Kaveri KDE for UCAV Kaveri AB with afterburner for Tejas Mk1 and Kaveri2 enhanced performance for Tejas Mk2.
What is status of Uttam radar Astra Mk2 and Brahmos NG .

 

[Bks98]

While this may be good news, there is no mention about the readiness and availability of the engines in HAL factory premises. If no GE-414 engine is available with HAL, then it is only an airframe in 2026. It should be noted that even a single LCA Mk1A is not ready for want of GE-404 engines. Our MoD should take immediate steps to make the engines available on a war-footing basis.

There is no issue with the GE414 engine. GE has sufficient assembly and inventory of this engine.

 

[bks78]

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.

Our induan Radar and Electronic warfare are still not certified. Will get certified this year.