The long-awaited Tejas Mk 2 light combat aircraft (LCA), proudly built and manufactured in India, may finally go to the skies in 2025, now powered by an American engine.This encouraging report was delivered by Prabhulla Chandran VK, the Director of Avionics & Weapons Systems of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the main institution driving the indigenous fighter's design.

 

On June 22, GE Aerospace of the United States signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter aircraft engines for the Indian Air Force, raising hopes for the Tejas Mk 2. This announcement was made in conjunction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States. Prior to collaborating with the US, Indian engineers and scientists investigated engine choices from France and the British Rolls Royce.

 

 

 

"It will take 18 months from now to roll out the plane, and another six months for the first flight." "Around 200 such fighters will be built," said Prabhulla Chandran, who represented ADA at an avionics technology conference in Chandigarh.

 

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the LCA project last year, and Prabhulla Chandran explained, "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, with the exception of the ejection seat and a few sensors)." The single-engine fighter will outperform Rafale."

 

On the Tejas Mk 2, over 300 public and commercial institutions are working together on this huge project. Prabhulla Chandran elaborated on the aircraft's characteristics, saying, "The design is completely different from Tejas Mk 1." It is 20% bigger than Mk 1, has more capacity, cutting-edge avionics and range, and a higher weapon carrying capacity that we have yet to reveal. There will be just one variant of this fighter jet. We might look at getting a trainer plane later." According to a news report published by ANI.

 

Chief of Air staff, V R Chaudhari has already iterated that, "Indian Air Force has already given commitment for the induction of six squadrons of Light Combat Aircraft Mark 2 fighter jets. We will decide on additional numbers once the production of these aircraft starts”. The fighter is being designed and developed to replace multiple strike fighters of IAF viz, the SEPECAT Jaguar, Dassault Mirage 2000, and Mikoyan MiG-29s.