Tejas Mk2 — Features, Timeline, Weapons -2025

When India first dreamed of building its own fighter aircraft, many skeptics doubted if the journey would ever reach this stage. Fast-forward to today, With our proud PSU’s ADA and HAL work India is going to get Tejas Mk2  also known as Tejas Mark 2 or the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF) — is shaping up to be a milestone in the country’s Defence story.

This isn’t just another upgrade. The Tejas Mk2 is being built as a bridge between the light-weight Tejas Mk1/1A and the heavy fighters like the Su-30MKI. Backed by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency), and DRDO.

Tejas MK2 fighter jet promises advanced avionics, a more powerful GE F414 engine, higher payload capacity, and a design optimized for modern warfare. With a target rollout around 2025, the first flight expected in 2026, and production lined up for 2029, the Tejas Mk2 will play a central role in replacing the ageing fleet of Mirage-2000s and Jaguars in the Indian Air Force.

Let’s take a closer look at its journey, its features, and the path ahead.

Tejas Mk2 2025 Update

As of September 2025, the Tejas Mk2 program is progressing steadily, entering the prototyping phase. HAL expects the airframe to be completed by early 2026, marking a key milestone in India’s indigenous fighter development.

Flight testing is slated for late 2026 or early 2027, with the first prototype scheduled for rollout by year-end 2025. Successful tests will accelerate production and strengthen the Indian Air Force’s frontline capabilities.

Tejas Mk2 top speed

The Tejas Mk2, powered by the GE F414-INS6 engine generating 98 kN thrust, is projected to reach Mach 1.8–2.0 (~2,200 km/h). That’s a clear step up from the Mk1’s Mach 1.6, giving the Mk2 superior acceleration, climb rate, and sustained supersonic endurance — critical for interception and long-range strike roles.

The Vision Behind Tejas Mk2 Protoype

India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1 program gave the Air Force its first indigenous fighter. But as operational needs evolved, the IAF realized it required something with more muscle — more payload, more range, and more endurance. That’s how the idea of the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), later officially called Tejas Mk2, was born.

The concept was simple: keep the DNA of Tejas, but stretch the fuselage, add canards, expand the weapons carriage to 11 weapon stations, and fit in a more powerful F414 engine to push the aircraft into a true 4.5-generation category.

This wasn’t just about performance; it was about sovereignty. A fighter like the Tejas Mk2 would mean fewer imports, greater indigenization, and more confidence in India’s aerospace ecosystem.

Timeline – From Concept to First Flight of Tejas Mk2

The timeline of the Tejas Mk2 tells a story of persistence:

• Pre-2020 – The concept of a Medium Weight Fighter was formalized. Design studies and aerodynamic models emphasized the addition of canards, longer fuselage, and larger internal fuel capacity.
• 2021 – The first metal cutting for Mk2 components took place. HAL and ADA worked closely on design refinements.
• 2022 – The Cabinet Committee on Security gave the green light, sanctioning prototype development of Tejas Mk2.
• 2023 – Delivery of six GE F414-INS6 engines marked a major step toward ground integration tests.
• 2024 – Subsystem testing and mock-up reviews accelerated, with HAL aiming for rollout by 2025.
• 2025 (Target) – Rollout of the prototype is expected. This will be the public reveal of the aircraft’s physical form.
• 2026 (Target) – The first flight is planned, a critical milestone for airworthiness testing.
• 2029 – Initial production batches could begin if tests go smoothly.
• 2028–2030 – Full operational induction into the IAF, likely forming multiple squadrons to replace retiring jets.

These dates have shifted in the past, but the momentum behind Tejas Mk2 today is stronger than ever.

Design and Aerodynamic Features

The Tejas Mk2 is visibly different from its predecessor. The most striking change is the inclusion of close-coupled canards in front of the delta wing. These canards improve lift, agility, and control at high angles of attack — making the aircraft more nimble in dogfights and stable during heavy payload operations.

The fuselage has been stretched, giving it more room for fuel and avionics. The result? Increased combat radius and loiter time — critical for strike missions deep inside hostile airspace.

The airframe is also optimized for reduced radar cross-section, making it stealthier than Mk1 variants, though not in the same league as fifth-generation fighters.

Avionics and Cockpit

Step inside the cockpit of the Tejas Mk2 and you enter a pilot’s dream. The aircraft boasts a large area display (LAD), touchscreen-enabled glass cockpit, advanced HUD (Head-Up Display), and compatibility with HMD (Helmet Mounted Displays).

The cockpit is NVG (Night Vision Goggle) compatible and built around HOTAS (Hands-On Throttle And Stick) design philosophy, reducing pilot workload.

In terms of sensors, the Mk2 will field an AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare suites, infrared search and track systems, and secure data links. These make it a truly network-centric fighter, capable of fighting in modern multi-domain battlefields.

Engine — The Heart of Tejas Mk2

The powerplant of the Mk2 is the GE F414-INS6 engine, a proven high-thrust turbofan that gives nearly 98kN of thrust. This is a significant jump over the F404 engine used in Mk1, giving the Mk2 more speed, higher payload capacity, and better climb performance.

Engine negotiations and supply agreements have been central to the project. While the GE F414 is the baseline, India has also explored long-term co-development with other global players like Safran, to ensure self-reliance in propulsion.

With this engine, Tejas Mk2 will be able to carry heavier payloads without compromising on maneuverability.

Weapons and Payload

One of the biggest leaps from Mk1 to Mk2 is weapons capacity. The Tejas Mk2 will feature 11 weapon stations, compared to the 8 on Mk1A.

This allows it to carry:

• Air-to-air missiles (Astra, R-73, Derby, Meteor in future)
• Air-to-ground precision weapons
• Anti-ship missiles
• Smart bombs and glide weapons
• Drop tanks for extended range

The payload capacity increases significantly, making it a true multi-role platform that can switch between strike and air dominance roles seamlessly.

Indigenization and Industry Participation

A major thrust of the Mk2 program is indigenization. While the engine may still be foreign, most of the avionics, radar, weapons, and systems will come from Indian industry. HAL is bringing in private-sector players to expand the supplier base, ensuring that the Mk2 is not just a fighter jet, but a driver of India’s defence industrial ecosystem.

The target is to push indigenous content beyond 70%, making it one of the most self-reliant combat aircraft programs India has attempted.

Risks and Challenges

Like any major program, the Tejas Mk2 faces challenges:

• Engine supply – Timely delivery of F414 engines and possible future localization remain concerns.
• Funding – Defence budgets can delay prototype and testing phases.
• Timeline slippage – From rollout to first flight, history shows defence projects often slip by a year or more.
• Testing – Weapons integration, avionics calibration, and flight safety trials will be extensive before squadron service.

But despite these, the Mk2 program is considered far more mature and better supported than early phases of Tejas Mk1.

Why Tejas Mk2 Matters Strategically

For India, the Tejas Mk2 is not just about numbers. It represents:

• Replacement of Mirage-2000 and Jaguar squadrons retiring in the next decade.
• Capability expansion — with AESA radar, 11 weapon stations, and long-range strike ability.
• Indigenous strength — building confidence in India’s ability to design and field complex aircraft.
• Strategic independence — reducing reliance on imported fighters and strengthening Make in India.

The Indian Air Force is projected to order over 100 Mk2s, which will form the backbone of its medium fighter fleet in the 2030s.

Conclusion

The Tejas Mk2 is not just an aircraft — it’s a statement. A statement that India is serious about self-reliance, about developing aerospace engineering capacity, and about equipping its armed forces with modern, indigenous tools.

With prototype rollout planned for 2025, first flight in 2026, production by 2029, and induction between 2028–2030, the Mk2 is on track to become a game-changer. Powered by the GE F414 engine, armed with 11 weapon stations, guided by AESA radar and modern avionics, and built with higher indigenization, the Tejas Mk2 will mark India’s arrival as a serious aerospace power.

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