Tejas Mk2 flight in 2025. 300 firms make 90% LCA parts.

In Chandigarh, the Tejas Mk2 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) is expected to have its first flight in 2025. The project, which has faced delays, will showcase a mix of Indian advancements and an American engine. Prabhulla Chandran VK, the director of avionics and weapons systems at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which is in charge of designing the fighter, shared this positive update.

Tejas Mk2 taking its first flight in 2025 means quicker progress in its development and deployment.

1. Collaborative Manufacturing: Involving 300 companies in making 90% of LCA components promotes a shared effort and boosts industrial collaboration.

2. Economic Boost: Involving numerous firms generates jobs and economic growth, benefiting the aerospace sector and related industries.

3. Technological Expertise: Collaboration with multiple companies brings diverse technical expertise, enhancing innovation and quality.

4. Enhanced Performance: Tejas Mk2's timely flight ensures modernized capabilities for the Indian Air Force, improving national defense.

5. Strategic Independence: Domestic manufacturing reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, enhancing India's self-sufficiency in defense production.

The Tejas Mk2 project received a boost after GE Aerospace from the US announced a partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to make fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. This was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit on June 22.

Previously, attention had been directed towards France and British Rolls Royce as potential engine suppliers for Indian fighter jets. The LCA project received clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security in September of last year.

“With this new pact, 90% of the components will be indigenous, and the focus will be on state-of-the-art radar systems, weapons, and other capabilities (all made in India, barring the ejection seat and a few sensors). The one-engine fighter will be better than the Rafale,” said Prabhulla Chandran.

The collaboration with approximately 300 public and private institutions is fueling progress on the LCA. “The design is totally different from Tejas Mk1. It is 20% larger than Mk1, has greater capacity, state-of-the-art avionics, and range, as well as higher weapon carrying capacity, which we are yet to announce. This fighter plane will have only one version. We might go in for a trainer plane later,” Prabhulla Chandran said.