Tejas Mk-2 Fighter Jet Prototype Roll-Out Delayed, Expected By End Of 2024

The roll-out of the first prototype of the indigenous Tejas Mk-2 fighter jet has been delayed, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

The first prototype, initially expected to be rolled out by early 2024, will now be unveiled by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by the end of 2024.

Earlier in August 2022, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved Rs 10,000 crore for the development of four Tejas Mk-2 prototypes. Tejas Mk-2, according to the CCS's approval is slated to be inducted into the Indian Armed Forces in the 2027-28 timeframe.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has shown its commitment by placing an initial order of six squadrons of the Tejas Mk-2, building upon the existing fleet of Tejas Mk-1 aircraft.

The Tejas Mk-2 fighter is a heavier and more technologically advanced version of the initial Tejas Mk-1, 32 of which the IAF already operates, and 83 are on order.

Improvements include a more powerful GE's F-414 engine (98 kN thrust) instead of the current GF F-404 engine (83 kN thrust) used in the Tejas Mk-1.

To support the production of the F414 engine in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to sign a co-manufacturing agreement with General Electric (GE) during his visit to the United States.

As part of this agreement, GE will transfer approximately 80 per cent of the F-414 engine technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The F-414 will also power the in-development twin-engined deck-based fighter (TEDBF) for the Navy, and the initial prototypes of the 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Furthermore, the Tejas Mk-2 will feature various enhancements, such as the indigenous Uttam radar with Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, an advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suite, an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensor, a newly built Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC), and an improved weapons package.

With a weight of 17.5 tonne, the Tejas Mk-2 can carry over six tonnes of weapons, providing increased operational capabilities. Additionally, it offers a longer endurance of two hours compared to the Tejas Mk-1A's 57 minutes.