Tejas Mk2 to Soar with 70% Indigenous Content in 2026, Aiming for 90% by 2031

India's pursuit of self-reliance in defence technology is gaining momentum with the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet program. Prabhulla Chandran VK, director of avionics and weapons systems at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), has revealed that the Tejas Mk2 is projected to achieve an impressive 90% indigenous content by the time it enters production in 2031.

This ambitious goal will be achieved in stages. The first Tejas Mk2 prototype, slated to take flight in 2026, will already feature over 70% indigenous components. This marks a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the Tejas Mk1A, which is expected to reach 70% indigenous content within the next four years.

While delays in defence programs are often met with frustration, the extra time taken for the Tejas Mk2 has allowed engineers to prioritize the development of indigenous components. This strategic decision ensures greater control over the aircraft's production, maintenance, and future upgrades, bolstering India's strategic autonomy in defence.

The Tejas Mk2 will showcase cutting-edge Indian technology, with its advanced radar systems, weapons, and other critical functionalities being predominantly developed within the country. While some components, such as the ejection seat and a few sensors, may still be sourced from abroad, India is actively working towards achieving a near-complete domestic supply chain for the Mk2.

This commitment to indigenous development aligns with the Indian Air Force's (IAF) vision for self-reliance. The IAF has been a strong advocate for higher indigenous content in fighter jets, and the Tejas Mk2 reflects this ambition. This approach not only strengthens India's defence capabilities but also contributes to the growth of a robust domestic defence industry.

 

[R. Singh]

ADA+HAL+ Indian pvt firm consortium make twin engine ORCA powered by two GE-414 engines and with MUMT tech !

 

[Hegde Deepak]

The way it is going with the delays, it is going to be dead on arrival !

 

[PKPRS]

It will eventually become a better jet than Rafale or any other 4th gen MWF jets available in the market today.

 

[sanket]

wow, Then AMCA too will have 95% Content slowly Bharat's Aero Industry is maturing Credits goes to all DPSUs & pvt Vendors involve in it , Now Once AMCA engine is develop with Foreign partner Bharat will b almost self Reliance in developing Fighter jet, which only Handful of countries in world can do it .

 

[Anant]

Well, they are atleast utilising the delays well (apparently). I mean, you shouldn't have delays to start with, but I guess this is the best you can make of a bad situation.

 

[Anant]

It will eventually become a better jet than Rafale or any other 4th gen MWF jets available in the market today.

What are you basing that assertion on? What specifically makes the Tejas Mk 2 better than any 4th generation MWF, exactly?

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

The nose cone and ejection seat has been indigenised?

 

[sanket]

It will eventually become a better jet than Rafale or any other 4th gen MWF jets available in the market today.

Only i was confident in DPSU capability & others were blaming Ha Ha Ha, some were advising for joining kf-21 or tempest project .by the way Tejas MK2 &MWF are one Fighter jet & Not different.

 

[Zoro]

What are you basing that assertion on? What specifically makes the Tejas Mk 2 better than any 4th generation MWF, exactly?

Specs wise it is similar to gripen and even the design is similar canards with tail less delta wing and similar engine f414 and it has more use of composite material than gripen and idk which radar will they use in mk2 but gripen e got a good aesa radar. So mk2 is comparable to gripen which is comparable to rafale but not better to rafale, if we compare them rafale would be better in every way

 

[Hammer]

Specs wise it is similar to gripen and even the design is similar canards with tail less delta wing and similar engine f414 and it has more use of composite material than gripen and idk which radar will they use in mk2 but gripen e got a good aesa radar. So mk2 is comparable to gripen which is comparable to rafale but not better to rafale, if we compare them rafale would be better in every way

Let it come out from the drawing board then compare

 

[Akshat]

It will eventually become a better jet than Rafale or any other 4th gen MWF jets available in the market today.

If that eventuality happens in 2050, then it’s of no use to us.

 

[Hammer]

Only i was confident in DPSU capability & others were blaming Ha Ha Ha, some were advising for joining kf-21 or tempest project .by the way Tejas MK2 &MWF are one Fighter jet & Not different.

Keep you confident on DPSU. But plz provide some facts. I can't recall any 100% indigenous product produced by DPSU. Try comparing the resources they have and the product the have produced, you will run low on confidence

 

[Kailash]

Does this imply a desi engine?? How else can you get to 90% indigenous content by value or cost ??

 

[Hammer]

wow, Then AMCA too will have 95% Content slowly Bharat's Aero Industry is maturing Credits goes to all DPSUs & pvt Vendors involve in it , Now Once AMCA engine is develop with Foreign partner Bharat will b almost self Reliance in developing Fighter jet, which only Handful of countries in world can do it .

DPSU are white elephant, nothing else. They just enjoy perks and privileges.

 

[coke]

Why not they make ejection seat themselves? It is not treated as exception but as a very critical item, if UK refuses the seat in future it can be a big problem for iaf and even export customers, drdo making the engine but why not developing ejection seat😑

 

[avinash]

DPSU are white elephant, nothing else. They just enjoy perks and privileges.

Who spends in R&D in India? Its the GoI via DPSUs and labs. Why Pvt sector dont invest in R&D like west? do they dont have money? They do have money but they don't want to take longer and tougher route. Now tell who is elephant here and who is fox? Its easy to criticise.

 

[AK S]

What are you basing that assertion on? What specifically makes the Tejas Mk 2 better than any 4th generation MWF, exactly?

Let it first fly.

We are likely to be ahead of Rafale in radar and jammer department assuming we get to GaN.

Only after AMCA we are likely to be ahead in frontal optronics. in weapons department, after Astra Mk3 we become comparable.

In EWS and RCS, we may not be able to achieve parity.

Rafale will always be ahead of Mk2 in payload and range or even nuclear hardening of electronics.

it’s biggest advantage is cost (maybe less than half), flexibility in upgrades and indigenous supply chain.

 

[Sea Harrier]

The nose cone and ejection seat has been indigenised?

We are working on it....
Nose cone will be completed in no time, while Ejection seat may take some years to Mature enough. (Remember: it's very very sensitive and Delicate product)

 

[NSR]

After arbitrary sanction/embargo Engine Charge Component subsystem by Denmark, IAF and HAL must strive to achieve the maximum possible indigenous content except for the 20% HOT CORE TOT from GE and Ejection Seat from UK.

India has no other choice except to do it and so it must immediately pull in private and startup companies and provide SEED CAPITAL to work on everything that can be produced in India.

Evey two country can put sanctions on its products and DERAIL Indian fighter programs.

 

[AK S]

Let it come out from the drawing board then compare

You meant let it first fly.

With CCS approval, It’s firmly out of drawing board. It will fly. Just a matter of time.

 

[Hammer]

Who spends in R&D in India? Its the GoI via DPSUs and labs. Why Pvt sector dont invest in R&D like west? do they dont have money? They do have money but they don't want to take longer and tougher route. Now tell who is elephant here and who is fox? Its easy to criticise.

I don't comment without facts. I m privy to functioning of DPSU. Try visit ARDE, TBRL, DIBER, DIHAR, various labs of DRDO. It will be eye opener.

 

[AK S]

If that eventuality happens in 2050, then it’s of no use to us.

It will fly before MRFA tender and there is a strong possibility that order size will be reduced or it might even kill it.

It’s going to be very tough to spare $25B-$30B for one acquisition alone and that too with low indigenous content and exorbitant costs for future upgrades. Our Rafales may need new GaN radar and jammers. Funding that itself will be challenging given how notorious French have been for overcharging for upgrades.

 

[Rajesh]

Let it be go on at it's pace. Drones will be game changer if war broke out in between, so focus should be on various drones & defence systems now.

 

[Sandeep]

Let it be go on at it's pace. Drones will be game changer if war broke out in between, so focus should be on various drones & defence systems now.

No you’re wrong. You can’t just develop and deploy a defensive policy. You need to have offensive air power that can attack at your moment of choosing and wherever you want.

 

[Sandeep]

Why not they make ejection seat themselves? It is not treated as exception but as a very critical item, if UK refuses the seat in future it can be a big problem for iaf and even export customers, drdo making the engine but why not developing ejection seat😑

DRDO is currently developing one. How much progress has been made is unclear.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

You meant let it first fly.

With CCS approval, It’s firmly out of drawing board. It will fly. Just a matter of time.

Not quite! As recent reports indicate there is a flaw in design which may need revision of design. God known what exactly they froze during CDR.

 

[Sandeep]

Increasing the indigenous content rate is very important as it benefits us by being cheaper, grows and helps our businesses and makes us self reliant.

Right now they should focus more on developing and manufacturing the prototypes for Tejas MK2 and AMCA and get that certified first. Also once we start manufacturing the jets we should look at increasing the indigenous rate where possible.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

Considering the current status of delays, it is going to be dead on arrival !!

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Simply excuses wasting time until 2040 for 1st flight now....