Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) just dropped a bombshell,, the Tejas Mk2 prototype assembly crossed 65% completion with central fuselage and wings successfully mated at Bengaluru. India’s most anticipated 4.5-gen fighter now eyes a blockbuster public rollout by December 2025 and maiden flight in April 2026.
Engineers at HAL’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) campus celebrated the structural milestone Tuesday, confirming the GE F414 powerplant integration begins January. This beast upgrades the Mk1A with 98kN thrust (vs 84kN), stretching combat radius to 2,500+ km and payload to 6.5 tons – perfect for replacing Mirage 2000s along China’s LAC.
The ₹65,000 crore program secured 210 orders from IAF, but whispers suggest export potential to Philippines, Armenia, and Malaysia after Nigeria’s LCA deal. Mk2’s canard-delta wing and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar position HAL against China’s J-10C in the global market. Production ramps to 16 jets/year by 2028, creating 5,000 high-tech jobs in Bengaluru-Nashik corridor.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated HAL teams via X, calling it “Atmanirbhar triumph.” First flight clears path for Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) by 2028 – right when IAF needs 500+ new fighters amid squadron shortages. Private players like Tata and L&T gear up for fuselage/engine subcontracts, signaling India’s aerospace ecosystem finally maturing.
