"What India Will Fly on IAC2 When TEDBF Still Not Sanctioned", Former Navy Pilot Criticizes Delay in TEDBF Program

A retired Naval Aviation Commodore and former Chief Test Pilot for the LCA-Navy program, Jaideep Maolankar, has raised concerns about the slow progress of the Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program and its impact on India's Second Aircraft Carrier (IAC2).

Maolankar, in a post on X, questioned the government's plans for the IAC2 in the absence of a sanctioned TEDBF program, highlighting the fighter jet's crucial role in the carrier's capabilities.

He criticized the government for not yet sanctioning the TEDBF program, despite mentioning the IAC2 in Cabinet Committee on Security meetings. His comments underscore the defence establishment's growing concerns over delays in India's defence modernization efforts.

Maolankar also criticized the government's decision-making process for defence procurement, suggesting it's often driven by short-term solutions rather than long-term strategic planning. He proposed prioritizing the sanctioning of Rafale fighter jets and utilizing funds allocated for the LCA Navy Mk2 program to speed up TEDBF development.

The TEDBF program is seen as a vital step in enhancing India's naval capabilities, and delays in its sanctioning could significantly impact the IAC2's development and operational readiness. Maolankar's remarks bring to light the pressing need for swift action on the TEDBF program to ensure the IAC2's effectiveness and India's maritime security.

 

[R. Singh]

ADA+Navy should stop TEDBF program better invest money in 5th gen AMCA-C ( F-35-c) type and AMCA-B ( F-35B) type of fighters ! IAC-II must be a 65000 ton electric powered AC and operate F-35B and Rafale-M from its deck till AMCA-N delivered to Indian Navy !

 

[sanket]

First 26 Rafale M is pending second it is stop gap arrangement , Unlike TEDBF is long term plan all this project has to Fastracked From MRFA to TEDBF

 

[PKPRS]

First 26 Rafale M is pending second it is stop gap arrangement , Unlike TEDBF is long term plan all this project has to Fastracked From MRFA to TEDBF

Talks are suspended according to latest news, they even tried giving 2 more retired Rafale-M to sweeten the deal, but nothing happened, it looks like probably they might go with HAL's twin engine Naval Tejas concept.

 

[Anant]

Talks are suspended according to latest news, they even tried giving 2 more retired Rafale-M to sweeten the deal, but nothing happened, it looks like probably they might go with HAL's twin engine Naval Tejas concept.

And please tell where exactly you got this news from? A Google search hasn't shown anything of the sort to me.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

no country in the world has so many aircraft development programs simultaneously. Even US does not. We have the LCA mk1a just finishing, Then the LCA mk2. then the AMCA, then the TEDBF...cmon this is bound to happen given our lack of tech base , hitech manpower , tooling, precision industrial manufacturing requirement, and funding. On top of it we are trying to import rafales for 20 bill$ ? I wonder if maolankar really said that as well.

 

[NSR]

Totally agree with him.

India and its GoI and MoD should have started the development of Tejas Mk II and TEDBF, and AMCA Mk I right after granting the FOC certification to Tejas MK IA.

A lot of time has passed away and we are becoming laughing stock of armament merchants and their countries governments.
Remember that GE delivered about 8-10 F-414INS6 engines to HAL long time ago and used them for testing.

We can hardly make any decisions of national importance expeditiously.

Sad indeed.

 

[Kailash]

TEDBF would be the first modern twin engine jet that will be made here. Things are different than LCA, some complexities, some things will be simplified too. It could be an excellent step to validate tech that will get into AMCA.

Engine reliability can be less, a twin engine jet is probably a better fit for Kaveri certification and usage. I am very sure that once the Navy has borne the cost of development, airforce might be interested to join in for an ORCA. Right now though everything is quite far fetched.

 

[Dredd]

no country in the world has so many aircraft development programs simultaneously. Even US does not. We have the LCA mk1a just finishing, Then the LCA mk2. then the AMCA, then the TEDBF...cmon this is bound to happen given our lack of tech base , hitech manpower , tooling, precision industrial manufacturing requirement, and funding. On top of it we are trying to import rafales for 20 bill$ ? I wonder if maolankar really said that as well.

that too only with one vendor (HAL/ADA) , India Should have given one among TEDBF and Tejas Mk2 to private player as a development and production partner. HAL can't even produce Tejas Mk1a on time and in quantity.

 

[Sandeep]

Developing a jet is very complex and we are developing a twin engine jet for the first time without any foreign help and very little foreign technology. Also the way that they are optimising every space and using as many hard points on the bottom is very different to the Tejas MK2 jet. We are also using foldable wings, new jet computer, software, EO/IR, radar etc.

Currently it’s still under development and there hasn’t been any issues with funding and it hasn’t reached the stage where they are seeking funds from the CCS to manufacture the prototype. It’s set to have its first flight around 2026 so hopefully they are on track as we need these on our carriers.

 

[Anant]

Developing a jet is very complex and we are developing a twin engine jet for the first time without any foreign help and very little foreign technology. Also the way that they are optimising every space and using as many hard points on the bottom is very different to the Tejas MK2 jet. We are also using foldable wings, new jet computer, software, EO/IR, radar etc.

Currently it’s still under development and there hasn’t been any issues with funding and it hasn’t reached the stage where they are seeking funds from the CCS to manufacture the prototype. It’s set to have its first flight around 2026 so hopefully they are on track as we need these on our carriers.

TEDBF first flight in 2026? Not happening. Best case scenario is 2028.

 

[Sandeep]

TEDBF first flight in 2026? Not happening. Best case scenario is 2028.

The official date is 2026 so I really hope it is but there is that doubt with the current situation and poor performance and reliability from HAL.

 

[PKPRS]

And please tell where exactly you got this news from? A Google search hasn't shown anything of the sort to me.

The Rafale M the oldest members of the French Navy soon to be replaced thanks to India?

While the signing of the contract for the sale of 22 Rafale M and 4 Rafale B for Indian Navy is suspended as negotiations between MBDA end

meta-defense.fr

Besides Rafale-M has the exact same fatigue stress problem like in MIG-29K's, this is happening in the catapult assisted launch carrier Charles de Gaulle AC they have, how worse it will be in ski jump carrier, Navy realized this and is kind of puzzled.

 

[Koorma]

MoD must have a CAG like commission which comes with recommendations not AFTER a project, BUT BEFORE the project starts. In short, it must set guidelines and steps to follow and also monitor the progress made and step in when delays threaten to occur.

 

[Hey]

Developing a jet is very complex and we are developing a twin engine jet for the first time without any foreign help and very little foreign technology. Also the way that they are optimising every space and using as many hard points on the bottom is very different to the Tejas MK2 jet. We are also using foldable wings, new jet computer, software, EO/IR, radar etc.

Currently it’s still under development and there hasn’t been any issues with funding and it hasn’t reached the stage where they are seeking funds from the CCS to manufacture the prototype. It’s set to have its first flight around 2026 so hopefully they are on track as we need these on our carriers.

Without CCS approval you can only make drawings on MS words & paper...

CCS approval the project & then the funds are allocated for design & later in stages for prototype & technology development...

You go with a proposal to CCS that we are going to make a jet that will fall into this category, have this - that & a rough 3D model