Three years after receiving approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the rollout and first flight of the HAL Tejas Mk2 fighter jet have reportedly slipped beyond the original 2025 timeline. The next-generation fighter, being developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is considered a key upgrade to India’s indigenous combat aircraft program.
Officials familiar with the project indicate that delays are mainly linked to design refinements, system integration, and supply chain challenges. The Tejas Mk2 is a larger and more advanced version of the earlier HAL Tejas aircraft and includes upgraded avionics, a more powerful engine, and improved combat capabilities for the Indian Air Force.
The project received CCS approval in 2022 with an ambitious timeline that targeted rollout and initial flight testing by 2025. However, integrating advanced systems and ensuring readiness for extensive flight testing has taken longer than initially expected, pushing the schedule further.
Despite the delay, officials say development work is progressing steadily and the Tejas Mk2 remains a critical part of India’s long-term plan to strengthen its indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities and modernize the Indian Air Force fleet.