Tejas Mk2 Prototype Rollout Expected Before June 2026 as Critical Ground Testing Started

India’s indigenous fighter jet programme is approaching a defining moment. The Tejas Mk2, a next-generation Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), has formally entered a decisive phase of development, with the first prototype currently subjected to rigorous ground-based testing.

According to the latest programme schedules, the aircraft is on track for a formal rollout between March and June 2026, provided the current workflow proceeds without interruption.

Critical Testing Phase Begins​

Engineers are currently concentrating their efforts on the complex task of subsystem integration and ground validation.

Before the airframe can proceed to the final assembly stage, it must pass multiple ground trial campaigns designed to verify the performance of key critical assemblies. These assessments cover essential systems including avionics, hydraulics, landing gear, and power distribution units.

The primary objective of these tests is to ensure a seamless transition to the final structural coupling of the aircraft and to minimize risks during the subsequent flight and taxi trials.

Timeline and Potential Adjustments​

If the manufacturing and integration supply chains remain stable, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) target a maiden rollout by the end of March 2026.

However, officials have factored in a contingency window. Should minor developmental hurdles arise—specifically regarding component readiness or system calibration—the rollout event may shift slightly to mid-2026.

This caution likely stems from the complexities of the supply chain, particularly regarding the delivery of the GE F414-INS6 engines. This new power plant is a significant upgrade over the GE F404 used in the Tejas Mk1A, offering 98 kN of thrust compared to the Mk1A's 84 kN.

The timely arrival of these engines is vital for adhering to the proposed schedule.

Path to First Flight​

Following the rollout ceremony, the prototype will undergo a comprehensive verification regime. This will commence with system-level trials before progressing to low-speed and eventually high-speed taxi tests on the runway.

These trials are critical for validating engine thrust parameters, flight control responsiveness, nose-wheel steering, and the efficacy of the braking systems.

Current projections place the maiden flight of the Tejas Mk2 in late 2026. However, the schedule retains flexibility, with contingency reserves allowing for a possible shift into early 2027 if required to ensure safety and performance standards are met.

A Strategic Leap in Defence Capabilities​

The Tejas Mk2 represents a substantial capability leap for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Unlike the lighter Mk1A, the Mk2 is designed as a 17.5-tonne heavy medium-weight fighter capable of carrying a payload of 6.5 tonnes across 11 hardpoints.

It features enhanced range, endurance, and the indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.

This platform is strategically vital as it is intended to replace the IAF's ageing fleets of Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fighters.

With a heavy focus on indigenisation, the Mk2 programme is not just about building a jet, but about establishing a sovereign ecosystem for advanced defence aerospace manufacturing in India.

 

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