India HAL Tejas Program

[IC3M@N FX]

Yeah the courage will come automatically when you are in NATO and the chance of you fighting a peer war is almost zero. Come to the subcontinent where your neighbors are a revisionist superpower with 5th gen aircraft and almost neer peer adversary. You cannot have luxury of doing science projects. You want stuff that is the best and if you dont have it buy it from some one else and replace it later.

Are you really serious? Turkey waged war against the PKK and its affiliated groups for more than 30–40 years; for several decades, these groups were supported by the West in order to contain Turkey and keep it below the threshold of total escalation—to control it, slow it down, and keep its sovereignty slightly unstable.
We were blocked and sanctioned multiple times, for more than 40–50 years by Europe and the U.S.; in the arms industry, they wouldn’t even sell us defense systems like air defense.
We are rivals of Germany, France, Greece/Cyprus, Israel, Iran, the UAE, Armenia, and to some extent Saudi Arabia; this goes so far that they even confirm it in their own strategy papers and think tanks.
We were sanctioned technologically and economically....
What are you talking about?

 

[dronie]

Are you really serious? Turkey waged war against the PKK and its affiliated groups for more than 30–40 years; for several decades, these groups were supported by the West in order to contain Turkey and keep it below the threshold of total escalation—to control it, slow it down, and keep its sovereignty slightly unstable.
We were blocked and sanctioned multiple times, for more than 40–50 years by Europe and the U.S.; in the arms industry, they wouldn’t even sell us defense systems like air defense.
We are rivals of Germany, France, Greece/Cyprus, Israel, Iran, the UAE, Armenia, and to some extent Saudi Arabia; this goes so far that they even confirm it in their own strategy papers and think tanks.
We were sanctioned technologically and economically....
What are you talking about?

A ragtag miltia vs 2 nuclear powers. Hydrogen bomb vs coughing baby type comparison

 

[Gessler]

HAL Tejas Mk2's final push: Fighter on the cusp of first flight​

In a defining moment for India's next-generation indigenous fighter programme, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Tejas Mk2, is entering a decisive phase, with critical ground testing and certification processes accelerating ahead of its maiden flight.

Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the aircraft is now preparing for taxi trials, one of the final milestones before first flight. Current timelines indicate that the aircraft could take to the skies by mid-2026, marking a major step forward in India’s push for defence self-reliance.

3D Artwork by Kuntal Biswas, via Twitter/X

Entering the final testing phase​

The Tejas Mk2 programme has transitioned from design maturity to advanced ground validation. Engineers are currently focused on integration checks, system validation, and ensuring overall aircraft readiness. These include structural integrity assessments, avionics testing, and flight control validation. Notably, the first prototype will fly in its primer paint, allowing teams to prioritise testing and iterative improvements over cosmetic readiness, an approach aimed at accelerating development timelines.

A key enabler in this phase is the Centre for Military Air worthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), which is expediting the First Flight Clearance (FFC) process. The agency is evaluating critical parameters such as structural strength, safety compliance, avionics performance, and flight control systems

This faster certification cycle reflects improved coordination between regulators and developers, an area that has historically caused delays in Indian defence programmes.

Screengrabs of AMCA (left) and Tejas Mk2 (right) from an ADA video, via YouTube

Taxi trials​

Before the aircraft can take off, it must successfully complete a series of taxi trials. These include low-speed taxi tests to assess steering, braking, and ground handling, followed by high-speed runs where the aircraft approaches take-off speeds without lifting off. These trials are crucial for validating aerodynamic behaviour and system responses under real-world conditions.

Successful completion will directly pave the way for the maiden flight.

Powering the Tejas Mk2 is the GE F414-INS6 engine, which delivers significantly higher thrust compared to the earlier F404 used in previous variants.

In a major development, India has secured 100% Transfer of Technology (ToT) for this engine, enabling domestic manufacturing by the end of the decade. This not only enhances the aircraft's performance but also strengthens India's aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and reduces long-term dependency on imports.

Scaled models of the Mk2, via the internet

Production roadmap​

Looking ahead, HAL has proposed initiating Limited Series Production (LSP) by 2029, subject to final approvals. An accelerated induction strategy is also under consideration, where a batch of pre-production aircraft would be delivered early to the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) for concurrent operational evaluation. This approach could significantly compress the timeline between development and full-scale deployment critical for maintaining operational readiness.

As the Tejas Mk2 approaches its maiden flight, it stands as one of India’s most ambitious indigenous defence programmes. Beyond being a technological upgrade, it represents a shift toward faster execution, deeper industry-regulator collaboration, and greater self-reliance.

If timelines hold, the Mk2 will not only strengthen India's air combat capabilities but also redefine the trajectory of its aerospace ecosystem.

HAL Tejas Mk2's final push: Fighter on the cusp of first flight

India’s next‑generation indigenous fighter, the Tejas Mk2, is entering a decisive phase with accelerated ground testing and certification ahead of its maiden flight, slated for mid‑2026.

english.mathrubhumi.com

@Nilgiri

 

[Spitfire9]

And your take doesnt make any sense at all. Do you really think GE wouldnt care about their largest market after the US? GE need to supply engines for around 220 tejas mk1a alone. Also GE is the one who is supplying f414 engines also for the mk2 and initial AMCA.They have been fighting tooth and nail to get a part in the next Engine program also. People are so brain dead that they cannot accept that GE is facing issues around its components and logistics.For the subsystem part other than US, China and maybe Russia who really does makes weapons without foreign components nowadays?

Are you talking of supply chain problems with just the IN20 version of F404 or are T-7A and Hurjet facing supply problems, too?

I find it difficult to believe a 2+ year delay on delivery of F404 to India is due solely to supply problems. No doubt there were supply problems but I wonder if efforts were made to fix them ASAP for India.

I think that GE stood little to no chance of developing an engine for India's AMCA, piitted as it was against SAFRAN with no CAATSA/ITAR problems and probably more TOT. Same thought for RR but to a lesser extent. I think that RR would more likely to succumb to US pressure not to supply countries where the US disapproved.