A 1:15 scale model of the Tejas Mk 2 at Aero India 2025. The Aeronautical Development Agency said it aims to conduct the first flight of the Tejas Mk 2 in the first quarter of 2026. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)
The improved version of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, the Mk 2 variant, is scheduled to appear in prototype form in 2025, according to project officials.
Madhusudana Rao, the project director of the Mk 2 programme at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), told Janes on 12 February that efforts are under way to conduct the type's maiden flight in the first quarter of 2026. The ADA, a subsidiary of the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), is the design and development agency for India's high-performance combat aircraft programmes. Rao made his comments on the sidelines of Aero India 2025 held in Bangalore from 10 to 14 February.
According to Rao, the assembly of the prototype has been under way since late 2024, following efforts by ADA to stockpile key parts and avionics for the aircraft from 2023. “Efforts to accelerate the development programme were started in December 2023,” Rao said.
“Out of 950 key parts and systems required for the prototype, 450 parts have been stockpiled for integration into the prototype,” he added.
According to Rao, metal cutting for the prototype has started, with ADA optimistic that it can complete building the prototype by August or September 2025.
“The assembly of the front section of the aircraft is nearly complete,” Rao said. “Assembly of the rear section is half completed and the efforts are also under way on the centre section of the aircraft.”
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