Tejas MkII Poised to Outperform Pakistan's J-10CE and F-16 Block-52

The ongoing regional arms race on the Indian subcontinent is intensifying as Pakistan explores the acquisition of 14 additional Chengdu J-10CE "Vigorous Dragon" multi-role fighters. This move is seen as a potential response to India's acquisition of the Rafale fighter jet, indicating a bid for aerial parity.

While the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) claims the J-10CE is comparable, if not superior, to the Rafale, Indian defence experts are skeptical. They assert that the forthcoming Tejas MkII, an indigenous Indian fighter jet, will not only match but surpass the capabilities of both the J-10CE and the F-16 Block-52, another key fighter in the PAF's arsenal.

Tejas MkII: A Promising Contender​

Officials from ADA highlighted the Tejas MkII's impressive features. Set to enter production by 2028-29, the jet boasts a substantial payload capacity of 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) and an internal fuel capacity exceeding 3,400 kg (7,500 lb). This enables the Tejas MkII to carry a heavier weapons load over longer ranges compared to the J-10CE, enhancing its operational versatility.

In contrast, the Chengdu J-10CE has a maximum external load of 6,600 kg (14,541 lb) and can carry a payload of up to 5,600 kg (12,300 lb) of missiles, bombs, and other equipment. While this is a formidable capability, the Tejas MkII's superior payload management is expected to give it an edge in extensive missions.

Advanced Avionics and Radar Systems​

The J-10CE is equipped with advanced avionics and radar systems, designed to provide robust combat capabilities.

However, the Tejas MkII promises to feature an upgraded Uttam AESA radar system, which is expected to surpass the capabilities of the J-10CE's radar. This advanced radar will offer superior tracking, targeting, and electronic warfare capabilities, enhancing the Tejas MkII's situational awareness and combat readiness.

Armament: A Key Differentiator​

A critical aspect of any fighter jet's capability is its armament. The J-10CE is armed with an array of Chinese-made missiles, including the PL-15E and PL-12 air-to-air missiles. While considered effective, these missiles have limitations in terms of range and targeting capabilities compared to some Western counterparts.

The Tejas MkII, on the other hand, is set to feature a diverse and advanced weapons payload, including the Astra MkII and MkIII missiles, along with the ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile). These missiles are expected to offer superior range, accuracy, and reliability compared to the PL-15E and PL-12, enhancing the Tejas MkII's combat effectiveness.

Future-Proofing and Indigenous Production​

The Tejas MkII is designed with future-proofing in mind, incorporating advanced technologies that will remain relevant for years to come. Its modular design allows for easy upgrades and integration of new technologies as they become available.

This ensures that the Tejas MkII will remain at the cutting edge of combat aviation technology, providing the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a platform that can adapt to evolving threats and mission requirements.

As the arms race in the subcontinent continues, the Tejas MkII's development and eventual deployment represent a significant milestone for India's defence capabilities. The jet's potential to surpass the capabilities of both the J-10CE and F-16 Block-52 could alter the regional airpower balance, signaling a new era of indigenous fighter jet development in India.

 

[Vineet Sharma]

I also have years of R&D experience buddy. And nothing is going as it should be proceeding. This is a complete mess at this stage. Work that should have been over a decade back has been pointlessly stretched.

Akshat, if u had developed any technology from scratch than u should be able to understand in which stage this program is right now and where this is going.. what else I can assure u is this is beauty of the time that whole Bharat is working for carving a great pic for future.. So don't read lines alone... See big picture

 

[Sandeep]

It's fine that China sells their copied junk to Pakistan. Their jets technology and capabilities are much inferior, faulty, defective, unreliable and problematic as their jet can never do what the Chinese claim it can do. All military products sold by China from jets, ships, submarines have had big problems with every country complaining of it.

With Tejas MK2 it's been given the go ahead and we are currently starting to purchase all of the equipment and technology that we have developed. In the meantime orders for Tejas MK1A will continue to be delivered and it will have a low RCS and with using more composites and radar absorbing paint it will give a major boost to our defence and offence which can easily hit targets across the border to a certain extent.

 

[Anurag]

Wrong. HAL is the manufacturing partner and even participates as a developer in most programs. HAL chairman had given time frames from his side which means it had already reached HAL 5 years back.

No changes have been demanded from IAF in mk2. They asked for rather modest upgrades in Tejas itself. Like an extended fuselage and new engines. It was ADA which went in this fantasy trip.

Similarly, HAL delayed mk1a all on its own. No changes were requested after the deal signing from IAF. Or at least no changes for which it was informed about a stretched timeline were sought.

Why hal is not getting penalties for delaying the delivery of the Mk1a!! IAF should punish them why they are giving reward in place of punishment by giving further orders?

 

[Hari Sud]

One is flying and the other one is still in scale model and pictures, It is better to compare after picture becomes real.

Chinese are always in a hurry; hence second rate hardware and software is always a possibility which puts it into a lower class capable plane.

 

[kumar]

Tejas MK2 should also have GaN Based Uttam AESA Radar, Thrust vectoring & Python-5 WVR Missile

GAN radar targeted for mk2.

 

[Anant]

Fighter jets are always planned keeping in mind the speciality of adversary's fighter plane.

That may well be the case, but one does need to move from the planning stage into the production and operation stage to actually counter said adversaries aircraft. That is more than what can be said for the Tejas Mk 2.

 

[Anant]

Why hal is not getting penalties for delaying the delivery of the Mk1a!! IAF should punish them why they are giving reward in place of punishment by giving further orders?

Because DPSU, and because the MoD isn't actually bothering to green-light MRFA. They are still foolishly holding MRFA hostage to the hopes that HAL will get it's act together and somehow get a stupendous production capability in the near future, when HAL hasn't even managed to deliver anything remotely close to what they promise.

 

[Akshat]

Why hal is not getting penalties for delaying the delivery of the Mk1a!! IAF should punish them why they are giving reward in place of punishment by giving further orders?

You really think MoD would let anyone say bad things about HAL or other DPsUs? They may order reforms etc. but still won’t openly call them out.

Besides, penalizing HAL is pointless. In fact, it’s harmful for the government.

Any penalties will be paid from HAL’s profit, which anyways belongs to the government (at least 80%+). But if you do impose penalties, that would crash its share price, which will cause a loss far heavier than the penalties themselves. So it makes no sense for them to impose any penalties on any DPSU.

 

[Pramkumar]

MK2 still in dreams only. But J10E is flying. India following the german model of WW-2 whom keep testing their weapons with out producing, while china following the USSR model of mass producing and testing in War
quantity has its own quality.

 

[Pramkumar]

Tejas MK2 should also have GaN Based Uttam AESA Radar, Thrust vectoring & Python-5 WVR Missile

let the IAF and HAL agree to produce the MK2 in first.

 

[Neel Martin]

For the umpteenth time, there is no F-36, unless you have the plans for the same. If you do, share them. If not, please stop making such claims.

That is passive programmed A .I bot with Chinese Algorithm installed . The operator bicycle repairman comes to answer in another name !

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

The way IAF is moving right now, this is first time in so many years I felt ki ab koi bharat ko beat nahi kr skta.. As an R&D person, I can understand what exactly is going on, how this is going on and why this is going on.. Yes this is frustrating for all keyboard warrior to understand detailed process of R&D and for them multiple things are not going as per their keyboard dreams.. But trust me guys, this time it's really going to create monster👹

The things which you are calling keyboard dreams are actually the promises made by the same HAL and ADA. No one is dreaming, people just expect these orgs to be responsible and deliver.

 

[Vineet Sharma]

The things which you are calling keyboard dreams are actually the promises made by the same HAL and ADA. No one is dreaming, people just expect these orgs to be responsible and deliver.

We also face the same thing.. Production and sales guys always makes promise of selling land over moon and here in R&D sometime a bolt 🔩 can ruin or delay the project

 

[Pink Panther]

GaA - superior power consumption.
Python 5 available but main stay would be ASRAAM....
Thrust vectoring is unnecessary.

Thrust vectoring & Digital Fly by wire combo could replace canards.

 

[Pink Panther]

Tejas MK2 should also have GaN Based Uttam AESA Radar, Thrust vectoring & Python-5 WVR Missile

would be nice, but GE-F414 doesn't come with Thrust vectoring.