India’s indigenous fighter jet programme is advancing toward a decisive milestone as the Tejas Mk2, the country’s next-generation Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), moves deeper into the critical phase of ground-based testing. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have formally begun intensive subsystem integration and validation work, marking one of the most consequential stages before the aircraft’s first prototype enters full structural assembly.
According to current programme schedules, engineers are aiming for an official rollout of the Tejas Mk2 between March and June 2026, provided the workflow remains uninterrupted. Teams are presently focused on the complex tasks of integrating avionics, hydraulics, power distribution systems, landing gear mechanisms, and other critical assemblies. These components must pass successive rounds of ground trials before the airframe can be cleared for final structural coupling.
Officials involved in the programme describe this stage as essential for de-risking later phases, particularly flight and taxi testing. “Every subsystem must be validated on the ground to prevent surprises once the aircraft moves on its wheels or takes to the air,” an official familiar with the testing protocol said. The rigorous checks are designed to ensure seamless interoperability between the Mk2’s sophisticated systems, reducing the likelihood of developmental delays during high-stress evaluations.
A major variable in the programme’s timeline is the supply chain supporting manufacturing and integration. ADA and HAL have built in a contingency window to accommodate minor hurdles, especially in areas such as component calibration or last-minute refinement of integrated systems. Should such challenges arise, the rollout could shift from late March to any time before the end of June 2026.
One of the most critical elements in this supply chain is the delivery schedule of the GE F414-INS6 engines, the Mk2’s power plant. The F414 represents a major upgrade over the GE F404 used in the Tejas Mk1A fleet, producing 98 kN of thrust—an increase of nearly 15% over the Mk1A’s 84 kN. Timely delivery of the engines is crucial for locking in the planned testing and flight certification sequence. Any delays could easily cascade into later stages, affecting both rollout and first-flight targets.
Following its rollout, the Tejas Mk2 prototype will enter a stringent verification regime beginning with system-level functionality tests. Engineers will gradually transition the aircraft into low-speed taxi trials before pushing it to high-speed runway runs. These assessments will validate engine thrust characteristics, flight control sensitivity, braking efficiency, and nose-wheel steering—parameters that collectively determine flight readiness.
Current estimates suggest the Tejas Mk2 will conduct its maiden flight in late 2026. However, the programme retains flexibility, with officials prepared to shift the first flight into early 2027 should additional checks be necessary to uphold safety and performance standards.
For the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Mk2 represents a significant leap in capability. Designed as a 17.5-tonne class medium-weight fighter, it offers a payload capacity of 6.5 tonnes across 11 hardpoints—making it substantially more capable than the lighter Tejas Mk1A. The aircraft is expected to feature the indigenous Uttam AESA radar, greater range, improved endurance, and enhanced survivability features.
Strategically, the Tejas Mk2 is intended to replace the IAF’s ageing Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fleets, forming a core component of India’s long-term airpower modernisation strategy. Beyond the aircraft itself, the programme plays a central role in India’s broader ambition to develop a sovereign manufacturing ecosystem for advanced aerospace systems.
As India pushes toward a more self-reliant defence architecture, the success of the Tejas Mk2 will serve as both a technological milestone and a litmus test for the country’s ability to deliver next-generation defence platforms at scale.
